The death toll from the No. 5-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has risen to 128, with flames re-igniting overnight and five bodies - including two suspected children - recovered from the scene early Friday.
At approximately 5am, a unit in Wang Tau House burst into flames again with orange fire tongues visible through windows accompanied by heavy smoke. Firefighters immediately raised aerial ladders to spray water on the rekindled blaze while intensifying cooling operations on surrounding units.
During overnight search operations, mortuary workers removed five bodies from affected units, including two smaller figures believed to be children, creating heartbreaking scenes for waiting families and neighbors.
The Fire Services Department confirmed 94 fatalities and 76 injuries, including 11 firefighters. Rescue teams continue monitoring for potential re-ignition while working to fully secure the site and ensure no residents remain trapped.
The massive fire erupted on Wednesday, November 26, at the Home Ownership Scheme estate, which houses nearly 2,000 units. Some residents managed to escape, but many are still anxiously waiting for news of missing family members at the site amid cold weather.
Eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing a major renovation since July last year, including exterior wall hacking, pipe replacement, concrete repair, and window sill reconstruction. The scaffolding has been in place since August last year, spanning over one year.
The fire first broke out on the protective netting outside Wang Cheong House, followed by multiple explosions, before spreading to six surrounding blocks. The fire was only brought under control by evening on Thursday, November 27.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung earlier revealed firefighters found foam boards covering windows in many units and lift lobbies on every floor of the affected buildings. They described this material as highly flammable, accelerating the fire's spread, and noted the protective netting, waterproof canvas, and plastic sheeting likely did not meet fire safety standards.
Police arrested two directors and one engineering consultant, aged 52 to 68, from the company responsible for the project. They were arrested for “manslaughter” due to gross negligence causing death and serious injury.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption established a dedicated team today, Thursday, November 27, to conduct a full investigation into potential corruption related to the major maintenance project at Wang Fuk Court.
Chief Executive John Lee, who visited the scene, said 500 residents are currently in temporary shelters. The Home Affairs Bureau has identified 1,000 units, including youth hostels and hotels, for residents to stay in for about one to two weeks. Longer-term rehousing will primarily use transitional housing and Hong Kong Housing Society units, offering an initial total of 1,800 units. Each affected household will receive a HK$10,000 payment.
Lee also announced the government will hold a memorial service and cancel all government-organized celebration events, with officials reducing attendance at non-essential activities.
A dedicated identification center has been set up at Kwong Fuk Estate Community Hall, allowing family members to identify missing relatives using photographs. One resident said upon entering the hall, authorities provided two batches of photos of deceased bodies—men and women—each containing 30 to 40 photos. Information such as the floor unit and personal belongings found near the body was written beneath each photo. Staff advised families beforehand that some photos might be disturbing, and Red Cross psychologists were on-site to provide emotional support.
Wang Fuk Court, which was occupied in 1983, comprises eight blocks and 1,984 units, housing close to 5,000 people. The estate received a mandatory building inspection statutory notice from the government in 2016. However, the owners’ committee only approved the HK$330 million major maintenance project in January last year.
Under the scheme, each owner had to contribute between HK$156,000 and HK$182,000, payable in six installments. This sparked intense dissatisfaction among many owners, who questioned the high cost and lack of transparency in the tendering process. There were also repeated, heated disputes with the owners’ committee after workers were reportedly seen smoking on the bamboo scaffolding, with cigarette butts found on unit window sills.
The owners’ committee website showed the contractor, Grand Industries Construction Engineering Company Limited, published a notice in October 2024 stating protective measures, including covering exterior window glass completely with Foam Board, would be implemented to prevent debris strikes during construction.
Reporters who visited the scene saw white foam boards pasted on many windows at Wang Fuk Court, most of which had been burned, with the protective netting almost completely destroyed, leaving only the bamboo scaffolding on the exterior walls.
