Last Updated on 2025 年 11 月 28 日 by 総合編集組
The 2025 Wang Fuk Court Fire: How a Cigarette Spark Killed 94 and Exposed Hong Kong’s Aging Housing Crisis
On November 26, 2025, a catastrophic fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, a 42-year-old public housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong. Rated as a rare No.5 alarm – the highest level – the blaze claimed at least 94 lives, injured 76-78 others, left over 100 missing, and took the life of a 37-year-old firefighter. What began as a small flame on renovation scaffolding escalated into Hong Kong’s deadliest single-site fire disaster since 1948.
An Aging Estate Wrapped in Flammable Materials Built in 1983, Wang Fuk Court consists of eight 31-storey cruciform blocks housing around 4,600 residents, many of them elderly original owners. At the time of the fire, all eight towers were undergoing major renovation under Hong Kong’s Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme. Dense bamboo scaffolding covered with green nylon safety nets and waterproof tarps – highly combustible polymer materials – completely enveloped the buildings, turning them into giant torches waiting to be lit.
The Spark That Ignited a Nightmare Preliminary investigations point to gross negligence: CCTV and witness footage showed a renovation worker smoking on the scaffolding despite strict no-smoking rules. A discarded cigarette butt landed on dry debris and nylon netting. Within minutes, flames raced upward along the vertical bamboo poles. Strong seasonal winds carried burning fragments (“firebrands”) across blocks, spreading the inferno from one tower to seven in hours.
How the Fire Defeated Modern Firefighting
- Vertical external spread bypassed internal fire compartments and sprinkler systems.
- Melting nylon produced flaming droplets that ignited lower floors simultaneously.
- Illegal polystyrene foam insulation on some windows released thick toxic smoke.
- 31-storey height exceeded most ladder trucks’ reach; high winds dispersed water streams.
- Falling burning debris created a deadly rain, preventing fire engines from approaching closely.
Timeline of the 17-Hour Inferno • 14:51 – First emergency call: small fire on Block F scaffolding • 15:02 – Flames already reaching upper floors → No.3 alarm • 15:34 – Fire jumping to adjacent blocks → No.4 alarm • 18:22 – Upgraded to extremely rare No.5 alarm; full mobilization • Throughout the night – 128 fire appliances and 767 firefighters battled non-stop • November 27 morning – Exterior fires largely contained, but door-by-door search revealed soaring casualties
A Hero Lost: The 37-Year-Old Firefighter During interior rescue operations, a 37-year-old firefighter surnamed Ho from Sha Tin Fire Station lost contact around 15:30. Found unconscious on the ground floor with facial burns, he was pronounced dead at hospital despite resuscitation efforts. Hong Kong mourned a true hero who paid the ultimate price.
Casualties (as of 28 Nov 2025)
- Confirmed deaths: 94 (mostly from smoke inhalation, including 2 domestic helpers)
- Injured: 76-78 (12-15 critical)
- Still missing: over 100
- Firefighter fatality: 1
Public Anger and Heartbreaking Final Messages Social media exploded with videos of workers smoking on scaffolding and desperate last posts from trapped residents: “It’s on fire… take care everyone.” Hashtags like #TaiPoStrong emerged alongside fierce criticism of lax contractor oversight, outdated fire alarms that never sounded, and the continued use of flammable bamboo scaffolding long banned in mainland high-rise projects.
Systemic Failures Exposed
- Bamboo scaffolding: culturally iconic but proven lethally flammable above certain heights
- Corruption allegations: ICAC investigating tender rigging and substandard materials
- Aging fire safety systems in 40+ year-old estates
- Lack of fire-resistance standards for renovation netting and insulation boards
Government and Community Response President Xi Jinping issued immediate instructions. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive promised thorough reviews of scaffolding regulations and building safety. Emergency cash grants, temporary housing in modular units and hotels, and trauma counselling were rapidly rolled out. The Jockey Club donated HK$400 million, while ordinary citizens set up supply stations within hours.
A Wake-Up Call Carved in Ashes The Wang Fuk Court tragedy was entirely preventable. A single act of negligence, combined with decades of delayed reforms, cost 94 innocent lives. This disaster forces Hong Kong to finally confront its aging housing stock, outdated renovation practices, and the deadly risks of clinging to traditional bamboo scaffolding in a modern vertical city. May the memory of the 94 become the catalyst for change that ensures no family ever suffers this pain again.
