Hong Kong Has Suffered Its Deadliest Fire in Decades, Death Toll Rises to 55 - All the Details

A Hong Kong housing complex has been reduced to ash in the city's deadliest blaze in more than 30 years — a fire so fast and ferocious it consumed entire towers before help could reach the upper floors.

Hong Kong is reeling after a devastating fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, killing at least 55 people and leaving 45 others in critical condition. As of Thursday morning, 279 residents remained missing.

Authorities have confirmed the blaze is the city's deadliest in decades, prompting arrests, public outrage, and a mounting demand for accountability.

The fire, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, engulfed seven of the complex's eight high-rise towers in a matter of hours. The public housing estate is home to approximately 4,800 residents, many of whom are elderly.

Its rapid spread has been blamed in part on the use of styrofoam material, bamboo scaffolding, and renovation-related flammable debris found throughout the site.

At around 2:45 p.m., witnesses first noticed smoke coming from one of the towers. By 3:15 p.m., the blaze had grown so intense that even those inside nearby buildings began to take notice.

Wan, a resident of the eighth floor, said he only realised the danger after opening his window and seeing the smoke. He fled with his wallet and two dogs down a stairwell that smelled strongly of gas.

Minutes later, the fire was raised to a Level 4 alarm — the second-highest classification. Despite the arrival of emergency services, intense heat and thick smoke hampered rescue operations.

Firefighters struggled to reach the upper floors as burning bamboo scaffolding collapsed from the exterior. By 6 p.m., the alarm level had been raised to the maximum — Level 5 — as panicked residents and returning commuters watched their homes vanish in flames.

Social media and community messaging platforms lit up with pleas for help and desperate attempts to locate loved ones. One woman shouted hysterically, "My entire family is inside! I can't contact them on the phone, and I'm terrified they might have fainted."

Another man who had been forced to leave his dog behind stood helplessly watching his building collapse. The scene shocked many in a city known for its strict building codes and fire safety standards.

Questions quickly turned into accusations as evidence mounted, pointing to alleged negligence. Investigators discovered polystyrene boards blocking windows, flammable plastic sheeting, and netting throughout the renovation zones — materials that may have accelerated the fire's spread.

Three men, aged between 52 and 68, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. A criminal investigation is now underway, alongside an anti-corruption probe led by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Officials are also examining the handling of safety complaints that had surfaced more than a year earlier. Residents had previously raised alarms about potential hazards, including construction netting that reportedly triggered a warning from the Labour Department during a surprise inspection.

Concerns are also being raised about the speed of evacuations and the reliability of fire alarms. Some residents claimed alarms did not sound in their buildings at all. One man, surnamed Au, said he heard the sound of burning scaffolding outside but received no alert.

The city's leader announced on Thursday that all housing estates undergoing significant renovations would be subject to emergency safety inspections.

As the investigation continues, expressions of sorrow and disbelief continue to flood online platforms. "Those poor ppl," one netizen shared.

"How scary. Extra mindfulness for the families of the ones lost," another person commented. A third shared, "Devisating people and there pets 💔💔💔 [sic]" while a fourth simply wrote, "That's insane 💔💔."

For those who escaped, the trauma is far from over. Wan and his wife spent the night in an emergency shelter, unsure of what remained of their home or community. For many others, the wait for answers continues — and with it, a growing call for accountability.