Authorities race to control the city’s worst blaze in decades as questions rise over safety failures
Hong Kong is facing its deadliest fire in more than 60 years after a massive blaze tore through several residential towers in Tai Po, killing at least 55 people and leaving 279 others missing. Firefighters brought most of the flames under control late Wednesday, but smoke continued to pour from the upper floors as rescue teams struggled to reach trapped residents.
Officials said survivors have been found on some floors, though details remained limited. Search teams are expected to move higher into the damaged buildings today as temperatures inside slowly fall.
The fire spread quickly through bamboo scaffolding and green safety mesh that covered the buildings for ongoing renovation work. Footage shared by residents showed flames jumping from tower to tower through the scaffolding, raising urgent questions about safety standards and oversight.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said the main priority is rescuing residents and treating the injured. More than 200 people remain unaccounted for as families wait for updates in crowded shelters and hospitals.
Police have arrested three employees from a construction company linked to the renovation work. Investigators said protective sheets and plastic covering the towers may not have met fire safety standards, and that some windows had been sealed with foam, preventing escape. Officials described the alleged negligence as a key factor in how fast the fire spread.
Residents shared stories of narrow escapes and desperate searches for loved ones. Some fled through thick smoke, while others rushed back into burning buildings to look for family members. Many people spent the night in temporary shelters, wrapped in blankets and waiting for news.
Animal welfare groups also entered the disaster zone, rescuing cats, dogs and other pets left behind during the evacuation. At least 10 cats, seven dogs, and several turtles were saved by Thursday morning.
Donations poured in from major Chinese companies, including Tencent, ByteDance, Xiaomi, Anta and the Jack Ma Foundation, which pledged millions in support of rescue and recovery efforts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences and called for full efforts to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors. He has been receiving updates as the death toll continues to climb.
The cause of the initial blaze remains under investigation, but public anger is rising as authorities face pressure to explain how a residential renovation project could contribute to such devastating loss of life.
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