On November 26, 2025, a massive fire tore through several high-rise towers at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, turning an ordinary evening into one of the city’s darkest days. Thick smoke wrapped around the buildings as flames climbed rapidly from floor to floor, fueled by the bamboo scaffolding that surrounded the towers during renovation. Within minutes, the blaze grew so intense that authorities raised it to a number four alarm, Hong Kong’s second-highest emergency level.
Residents trapped inside could be seen waving desperately from their windows as firefighters battled the heat and smoke. Amid the chaos, at least 13 lives were lost and dozens more were injured, including families who were simply at home, unaware their night would end in tragedy. One firefighter also lost his life while trying to save others, a reminder of the courage and sacrifice carried by those who run toward danger instead of away from it.
By the time the flames were brought under control, the towers stood blackened and broken. The city woke up to grief, questions, and the painful images of a community shaken at its core. Investigators later said the bamboo scaffolding acted like a ladder for the fire, allowing it to spread faster than anyone could contain it.
Today, Wang Fuk Court stands as a stark symbol of how quickly life can change and how fragile safety can be in crowded cities. The memory of the victims and the bravery shown that night continues to echo throughout Hong Kong.
