HONG KONG — The city is grieving. Its worst fire in nearly eight decades has claimed the lives of at least 83 people, while around 300 remain missing. And now, police have arrested the heads of a construction company over possible manslaughter tied to the deadly blaze.
A Tower in Flames
The fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, a community dense with families. The building was under renovation, wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh — a setup that helped the flames spread violently.
Firefighters fought the inferno for more than a day. They battled blistering heat, choking smoke, and collapsing structures as they pushed toward the upper floors, where residents were believed trapped.
Video from the night showed exhausted firefighters shining flashlights through blackened hallways, searching for anyone left alive.
Grief That Cannot Be Measured
Outside one shelter, a mother held her daughter’s graduation photo close to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she searched for her missing child.
“She and her father are still not out yet,” said Ms. Ng, 52. “They didn’t have water to save our building.”
She is one of hundreds waiting for news — any news — of their loved ones.
Construction Firm Bosses Arrested
Police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the company responsible for the building’s maintenance.
Authorities say they used unsafe materials, which may have helped the fire spread uncontrollably.
“We have reason to believe there was gross negligence,” said Police Superintendent Eileen Chung.
Investigators seized computers, documents, employee lists, and mobile phones from the company’s office.
Prestige Construction has not answered any calls for comment.
A Tragedy Not Seen Since 1948
Hong Kong has not witnessed a fire this deadly since 1948, when a warehouse blaze killed 176 people.
Messages of sympathy poured in. Pope Leo sent a message of “spiritual solidarity” to victims’ families. Hong Kong leader John Lee announced a HK$300 million fund to support affected residents. Major companies—including Xiaomi, Xpeng, Geely, and charitable foundations tied to Jack Ma and Tencent—pledged donations.
Evacuees Sleep on Mall Floors
As night fell for the second time since the fire, dozens of evacuees slept on makeshift mattresses laid across a nearby mall.
Elderly residents. Small children. Entire families wrapped in blankets outside a McDonald’s as volunteers passed out snacks, water, and toiletries.
“We’ll leave the official shelters to those who need them more,” one evacuee said, curling up beside her children.
The Wang Fuk Court complex housed more than 4,600 residents across eight tightly packed blocks — many relying on subsidized housing due to Hong Kong’s soaring property prices.
Investigating What Went Wrong
Police confirmed they found foam material sealing windows on one building — flammable and unsafe — installed during maintenance.
The fire also raced up the bamboo scaffolding, a traditional construction method still common in Hong Kong.
Officials are now considering replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives.
China’s President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out effort” to contain damage and prevent further casualties — signaling Beijing’s deep concern over the tragedy.
Families Searching for Names, Rooms, Hope
Online, a Google document lists the missing — room by room, floor by floor.
Descriptions like:
“Mother-in-law in her 70s.”
“One boy and one girl.”
“Rooftop: 33-year-old male.”
And one entry more painful than the rest:
“27th floor, room 1: He is dead.”
Reuters could not verify the details, but the desperation is unmistakable.
A City Still in Shock
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the Grenfell Tower fire in London — another disaster tied to unsafe building materials and failures in oversight.
Authorities fear the Hong Kong fire could fuel public anger in a city already struggling with housing shortages, rising prices, and political tension.
Tai Po, home to 300,000 people, is now the center of a catastrophe that has shaken the entire region.
