A large-scale fire swept through the Wang Fuk residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong (China) on November 26, turning the area into what witnesses described as a “hellish inferno.” Bamboo scaffolding, erected for exterior wall repairs, became a direct pathway for the flames and allowed the fire to spread rapidly to multiple buildings under strong winds. A viral video circulating online captured the terrifying scene from inside one of the units, where the person filming could be heard coughing heavily due to the thick smoke.
Several Chinese media outlets posted the clip under the headline “Inside View of the Hong Kong Fire.” From the vantage point of a trapped resident, the footage shows the bamboo scaffolding positioned dangerously close to the building, engulfed in flames. The intense fire and suffocating smoke created a dense, hazy atmosphere, forcing the individual to repeatedly cough before eventually shutting the window.
By the afternoon of November 27, at least 55 people had died in the devastating blaze that tore through the Tai Po housing complex. The fire, which lasted nearly 24 hours, prompted an extensive response from firefighting and rescue teams.
Officials also noted that of those previously listed as missing, 279 cases had been processed, though they did not disclose whether the individuals had been hospitalized, discharged, or located elsewhere. In total, authorities received 341 requests for assistance.
Firefighters confirmed that fires in four of the seven residential buildings have been extinguished, while blazes at the remaining three buildings are now under control.
To support the large-scale rescue and containment efforts, authorities deployed four drones, 11 fire hoses, and 26 rescue teams. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department mobilized 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, with 1,250 firefighters participating in the operation.
The Wang Fuk Estate, built 42 years ago, consists of eight residential towers with a total of 1,984 units. Prior to the incident, the buildings were undergoing exterior wall repairs, leaving all outer surfaces covered with bamboo scaffolding. Around 3 p.m. on November 26, residents noticed a section of the scaffolding on one building catch fire. Fueled by strong winds, the flames quickly traveled along the interconnected bamboo structure, spreading to neighboring buildings and igniting multiple apartment units due to intense heat.
The Hong Kong authorities continue search, rescue, and damage assessment efforts as the city reels from one of its deadliest residential fires in recent years.
Sources: K14
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