By Adolfo Arranz, Jitesh Chowdhury, Han Huang, Sudev Kiyada, Farah Master, and Kosato Nakhro

Published Nov. 27, 2025, 09:00 PM GMT+6

Hong Kong – A devastating fire that erupted on Wednesday, November 26, in the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong has claimed at least 65 lives and left many residents missing. Authorities are investigating the cause, with early reports suggesting gross negligence by a construction company that may have used unsafe materials during recent maintenance work.

Construction Practices Under Scrutiny

Police officials revealed that the affected buildings were covered with green protective mesh sheets and plastic materials that may not meet fire safety standards. Some windows in one of the towers were found sealed with foam panels installed by a construction firm.

“We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties,” said Eileen Chung, Senior Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force.

Flammable Materials Fueled the Fire

The fire drew attention to Hong Kong’s continued use of flammable bamboo scaffolding and mesh in construction—a practice with roots in mainland China dating back centuries. Bamboo scaffolding, often tied with nylon cords, has been widely used for high-rise construction in Hong Kong due to its low cost, flexibility, and availability.

While mainland China has largely replaced bamboo with sturdier metal scaffolding, Hong Kong still has around 2,500 registered bamboo scaffolding masters according to government records. The green mesh covering bamboo scaffolding, traditionally used to prevent debris from falling, may have allowed flames to spread rapidly across the towers.

Plastic Foam Windows and Rapid Fire Spread

Investigations have highlighted that white foam panels used to seal windows in elevator lobbies on every floor may have contributed to the fire’s speed. Some foam boards reportedly melted or caught fire, intensifying the blaze.

Photos from the scene show charred bamboo lattices and remnants of the green construction mesh that once surrounded the towers, emphasizing how quickly the fire engulfed multiple floors.

Challenges in Rescue Operations

Firefighters worked through the night to bring the fire under control. By early Thursday morning, four of the seven affected blocks were contained, while operations continued in the remaining three. Video footage from the site showed flames still rising from at least two 32-storey towers and thick smoke pouring from several buildings.

Rescue teams faced extreme difficulties reaching upper floors due to high temperatures and heavy smoke. Authorities noted that over one-third of Wang Fuk Court residents were over 65, potentially complicating evacuation efforts. Fire Department Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan said, “The dangers and difficulties increase significantly after dark.”

Comparisons and Global Reactions

The Hong Kong fire has drawn comparisons to the Grenfell Tower disaster in London, 2017, which killed 72 people. That tragedy was attributed to flammable cladding, as well as regulatory and construction failures.

Grenfell United, a survivors’ advocacy group, expressed solidarity with victims in Hong Kong. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the horrific fire in Hong Kong. To the families, friends, and communities, we stand with you. You are not alone,” the group said in a social media post.

Deadliest Hong Kong Fire Since 1948

This fire is now recorded as the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when a warehouse blaze claimed 176 lives. Authorities continue to investigate the precise cause and are reviewing building safety regulations, particularly regarding bamboo scaffolding and flammable construction materials.

Authorities have urged residents of other high-rise buildings to remain vigilant and report potential safety hazards. The Hong Kong government is expected to announce further safety inspections in the coming days.

source : reuters