The catastrophic fire in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong witnessed the city’s biggest disaster in years. So far, 44 people have been confirmed dead in this massive fire that broke out in seven high-rise apartments, while more than 250 people are still reported missing. A firefighter is also among the dead.
This massive fire incident occurred in Tai Po. It is a suburban area in Hong Kong, located near the border with the Chinese city of Shenzhen. According to the local administration, the fire spread to seven buildings by the evening, while the fire that broke out in one building also engulfed the nearby towers. After the accident, more than 900 people were taken to safe places and hundreds were shifted to temporary camps.
Watch the horrifying video-
#WATCH China , A huge fire that broke out at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong yesterday, which has claimed the lives of 44 people with 300 people still missing, continues to burn. According to the Police, the fire may have been spread by unsafe scaffolding and foam… pic.twitter.com/SeCC6O9QVM
— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2025
Officials informed early Thursday that two directors of a construction company and a consultant have been arrested in this case. Police allege that he committed serious negligence. Investigation found highly flammable polystyrene boards bearing the company’s name on the windows of several flats.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said that the police and fire services departments have jointly formed a special investigation team which will investigate the cause of the fire in depth. He said that by nightfall the fire seemed to be coming under control, but the situation was still challenging.
140 fire trucks and 60 ambulances deployed
The fire department said they received numerous emergency calls. More than 140 fire trucks, more than 60 ambulances, hundreds of firefighters and policemen were deployed at the spot. A 37-year-old firefighter died, while another was hospitalized with heat exhaustion.
Fire department declared ‘number-4’ warning
The rapidly spreading fire engulfed the bamboo scaffolding that had been erected on the exterior of the building. Due to this very strong flames and thick smoke started rising. Live video showed firefighters pouring water on the fire from an elevated ladder truck. This fire broke out in the afternoon. The fire department declared it ‘Number 4 Alert’. This warning is the second highest level of fire severity.
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Bamboo scaffolding is used during building construction.
Bamboo scaffolding is commonly used during building construction and renovation in Hong Kong. However, the government had said earlier this year that it would be gradually phased out in public projects due to security reasons.
