A devastating fire tore through several high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, November 26, leaving 13 people dead. According to the Fire Services Department, nine victims were discovered at the scene, while four others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The fast-moving blaze forced around 700 residents to evacuate to temporary shelters as emergency teams worked to contain the situation.
The fire began in the afternoon and rapidly spread upward through bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the buildings. By nightfall, thick smoke and towering flames were seen pouring from multiple apartments, prompting authorities to issue a level-5 alarm — the highest alert. Footage from the scene showed at least five buildings engulfed simultaneously, with the skyline illuminated by the blaze. Local council member Lo Hiu-fung noted that many trapped residents were elderly.
Bamboo scaffolding, commonly used in Hong Kong construction, came under fresh scrutiny as the fire spread along its structure. The government has already announced plans to phase out its use in public projects due to safety concerns. As firefighters continue damage assessments, investigators are working to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
