Hong Kong witnessed one of its deadliest urban disasters in decades on Wednesday afternoon when a massive fire ripped through the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, killing at least 55 people and leaving hundreds injured or unaccounted for. The inferno, which engulfed several high-rise towers, forced thousands to flee as thick smoke choked the neighbourhood and flames shot up the bamboo-wrapped exterior of the buildings.

Residents watched helplessly as their homes, memories, and entire lives went up in flames. “Imagine a home — gone, burnt. Anyone would be heartbroken,” said Shirley Chan, a resident. “I can’t even put it into words.”

For many elder residents, who have lived there for decades, the devastation was even more overwhelming. Yuen, 65, said the complex was filled with elderly neighbours who relied on mobility aids. With windows sealed for maintenance, many were unaware of the fire until neighbours called to warn them. “I’m devastated,” he said, standing beside his wife, both now homeless.

Another longtime resident, 74-year-old Tong Pingmoon, described a narrow escape. After smelling smoke, he was warned by firefighters to prepare for evacuation but believed his own unit would remain safe. As the smoke thickened, he and his wife barricaded themselves in their bathroom, using wet towels to seal the door as they called for help. Rescuers reached them only around sunset. “We were so lucky,” he said from a temporary shelter. “It was pitch dark. We wouldn’t have made it if we had to head out by ourselves.”

Volunteers and residents rushed to help as chaos unfolded. “My heart is tingling,” said 29-year-old volunteer Logan Yeung, who believed construction issues contributed to the catastrophe. Another resident, surnamed So, said watching the towers burn was unbearable. “We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely.”

Fire Services Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan said the extreme heat inside the buildings made rescue work nearly impossible. “The temperatures inside are very high, making it difficult for us to enter and conduct operations,” he said.

What Caused the Tragedy?

The fire began around 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The eight-tower complex houses nearly 2,000 apartments and was undergoing repairs, with bamboo scaffolding covering much of the exterior. Officials have long warned that traditional bamboo scaffolding, while widely used in Hong Kong, is highly combustible.

By Thursday morning, police arrested three men, alleging that flammable materials left behind during repair work allowed the blaze “to spread rapidly beyond control.” Investigations are ongoing.

Among the 55 confirmed dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact with his team during operations. More than 900 residents have been displaced and shifted to emergency shelters. Hundreds initially reported missing were later traced, though several remain unaccounted for.

For many survivors, the future feels frighteningly uncertain. “The fire is not yet under control, and I dare not leave,” said one man in his 40s who owns a unit in the complex. “I don’t know what I can do.”

As Hong Kong mourns, the city is now confronting painful questions about construction safety, high-rise fire preparedness, and the human cost of long-ignored risks.