Death toll jumps to 55 as firefighters battle last of Hong Kong public housing fires

The fire — the city’s deadliest in decades — erupted on Wednesday afternoon across an eight-tower residential estate containing around 2,000 flats.

The scale and speed of the inferno sent shockwaves through the densely populated city, known for its towering apartment blocks.

Three arrested

Police announced early on Thursday that three men had been arrested in connection with the disaster.

Investigators believe flammable materials left behind during maintenance work allowed the fire to “spread rapidly beyond control”.

Officers later searched a separate location, seizing binders of documents linked to the suspects, whom they accuse of “gross negligence” for leaving foam packaging at the site.

Operations continue

Local journalists reported early in the morning that several units were still smouldering, though the flames had weakened overnight.

At least 55 killed, several missing in Hong Kong high-rise residential complex fire. Photo: Screengrab from YouTube/@am730

The fire had first ignited on bamboo scaffolding across multiple 31-storey blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which was undergoing extensive repairs.

Witnesses described hearing loud cracking noises—likely the bamboo collapsing—as thick smoke poured into the sky.

Firefighter loses life

Among those killed was a 37-year-old firefighter, found with severe burns roughly 30 minutes after losing radio contact, according to Fire Services Director Andy Yeung.

A government spokesperson said 56 people were being treated in hospitals: 16 in critical condition, 24 in serious condition, and 16 in stable condition.

Chief Executive John Lee said that 279 residents were initially listed as missing, though firefighters later managed to reach some of them.

More than 900 people sought shelter at temporary facilities.

Residents report missing loved ones

A police officer stationed at one shelter said it remained difficult to determine the exact number of missing individuals, as residents were still arriving late into the night to report relatives who hadn’t been found.

The Hong Kong high-rise residential complex is still burning after 24 hours. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Cyril Yoshi

Charred scaffolding continued to rain down from the towers, and flames could be seen burning inside flats, occasionally bursting out of windows and illuminating the night sky with an orange glow.

“The temperature is extremely high, and some floors remain inaccessible despite calls for help,” said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of fire service operations.

He added that strong winds and drifting burning debris likely helped the flames jump from one tower to another, though the official cause is still being investigated.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the victims, including the fallen firefighter, state media reported.

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee said he was “deeply saddened” and promised that government departments were fully mobilised to assist affected residents.

Large buses were used to evacuate residents, and nearby buildings were also cleared as a precaution.

Sections of a major highway next to the estate were shut down to allow emergency operations to continue.