Hong Fuk Court Inferno Shakes Hong Kong
What happened in Tai Po today has gripped the entire city—a massive, fast-spreading blaze that tore through the Hong Fuk Court residential estate and turned an ordinary afternoon into a tragic emergency. Let me walk you through what unfolded, in a clear and conversational way, just as if I were telling you the story now.
The fire started in the early afternoon, when scaffolding on the exterior of one of the estate’s towers suddenly caught fire. Because the buildings were undergoing external wall repairs, bamboo scaffolding had been set up around all eight towers in the estate. Unfortunately, this setup became the perfect fuel. Once the flames ignited, the wind carried burning fragments from one building to another. In just minutes, the fire leapt across multiple blocks, causing it to escalate rapidly through the alarm levels—first to a three-alarm, then four-alarm, and finally upgraded to a full five-alarm fire, the highest category in Hong Kong.
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Residents described scenes of chaos as thick black smoke poured through the estate and the glow of flames lit up windows several floors high. Some people were trapped inside their units, unable to escape through smoke-filled corridors. They were advised by firefighters to stay inside their homes, close all windows and doors, and seal any gaps with wet towels while waiting for rescue. Emergency calls kept flooding in as the fire continued to spread.
Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched—760 personnel in total—along with ladders, water jets, and search-and-rescue teams. Despite their efforts, conditions were incredibly harsh. Burning debris kept falling from the scaffolding, and the heat at certain sections was so intense that some floors were initially unreachable. At the rooftop, crews worked to create water barriers to stop the flames from spreading even further.
Tragically, the fire claimed many lives. By the end of the night, 13 people had died, including one firefighter who fell unconscious during ground-level rescue operations and was later confirmed dead at the hospital. More than 20 others were injured, with several in critical condition. The government opened temporary shelters for displaced residents whose homes were damaged or engulfed by smoke.
The scenes captured from the area showed flaming units, smoke billowing across the skyline, and exhausted firefighters coated in soot. Even late into the evening, some sections were still burning, and authorities continued urging the public to avoid the area.
It has been one of the most serious residential fires in Hong Kong since the handover, and investigations will now begin into how the blaze grew so quickly and whether any safety measures were insufficient. For now, though, the city is still absorbing the shock of a day marked by loss, bravery, and heartbreak.
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