At Least 44 Dead, Hundreds More Missing in Catastrophic Hong Kong Apartment Fire — What We've Learned

Thick smoke, falling debris, and frantic rescues. What began as an ordinary afternoon in a Hong Kong housing estate turned into a scene of unimaginable devastation.

A towering blaze swept through a public housing estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, killing 44 and leaving 279 unaccounted for in what officials are calling one of the city’s worst fire emergencies in recent memory.

The first alarm came at 2:51 p.m., according to the South China Morning Post. According to CNN, the fire erupted at Wang Cheong House, a 32-story tower under renovation, clad in bamboo scaffolding and wrapped in green mesh sheeting — a common but increasingly scrutinized sight across the city.

The blaze intensified at terrifying speed, jumping from tower to tower. In total, seven of the estate's eight residential blocks were affected, with scenes of scaffolding fully ablaze and burning debris cascading to the streets below.

Officials confirmed 44 fatalities. Another 45 people were rushed to hospitals in serious condition. Calls flooded into emergency lines, reporting residents trapped inside. Among the victims were a man and a woman found unconscious, suffering severe burn injuries.

What started as a No. 1 alarm quickly escalated. By 3:34 p.m., the alert had been raised to No. 4. Less than three hours later, at 6:22 p.m., it reached the highest level — No. 5 — signaling a major crisis requiring vast emergency response.

Investigators are now focusing on the role of the flammable construction materials, as authorities pursue a criminal inquiry into the fire's cause and any potential safety breaches.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited a local community center where displaced residents sought refuge. Later, at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, he addressed the media, pledging a full investigation and ongoing support for those impacted by the disaster.