On Wednesday, November 26, the whole of Hong Kong watched in horror as news broke of a major fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. As of the time of publication, the inferno has been blazing for approximately 16 hours now, and over 40 people have already been confirmed dead. This has proved to be Hong Kong’s deadliest fire disaster, surpassing a fire three decades ago in the Garley Building in Jordan that caused 41 deaths. Here’s everything you need to know about the Wang Fuk Court fire, how it happened, what’s being done about it, and how you might be able to help.
Understanding what happened
How did the Tai Po fire start?
The fire department first received a report just before 3pm on Wednesday regarding a fire at Wang Cheong House within Wang Fuk Court. Unfortunately, there happened to be large-scale renovation works being carried out at the public housing estate, and bamboo scaffolding had been erected on the residential towers since July 2024.
The scaffolding and green safety mesh wrapped around the structures swiftly caught fire, spreading the blaze to other floors of Wang Cheong House. Neighbourhood locals interviewed on TVB news also recalled burning debris drifting to neighbouring blocks and setting them on fire rapidly as well. By around 6pm on November 26, the fire department had classified it as a level-five fire, the highest-risk level.
How bad is the Tai Po fire?
Wang Fuk Court consists of eight blocks and seven of them were engulfed in the blaze. As of 6am this morning, November 27, the fire at four blocks have been brought under control while firefighting efforts are still ongoing at the remaining three blocks. Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of fire services, estimates that it might take until dusk today for firefighters to reach the rooftops of the affected buildings.
The government has launched a criminal investigation into this deadly fire. The renovations at Wang Fuk Court were found to be done by Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Ltd, who have used polystyrene foam to cover windows in the course of their construction work. It is suspected that this material might have exacerbated the speed with which the fire had spread. Earlier this morning, the police arrested three people – two directors and one engineering consultant – from the company responsible for building maintenance at Wang Fuk Court.
How many casualties are there so far in Wang Fuk Court?
At the time of publication, there are already 44 people dead. One of these casualties was a firefighter who was working in the rescue efforts. Some 279 people are currently still missing or unaccounted for. Among the many people who have been hospitalised, 45 are currently in critical condition.
What’s being done after the Tai Po fire
Temporary shelters in Tai Po
In response to the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the Tai Po District Office has opened several temporary shelters for people in need. Also, the Hong Kong Police Force has set up a hotline for enquiries about the casualties of the fire: 1878 999.
In addition, various hospitals have established interdepartmental help desks to provide assistance, including Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (hotline: 2658 4040), Prince of Wales Hospital (hotline: 3505 1555), and North District Hospital (hotline: 2683 7567).
Here are the locations of the temporary shelters for those affected by the fire:
- Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre at Tai Wo Estate
- Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre on Tung Cheong Street
- Hong Kong PHAB Association - New Territories PHAB Centre at Kwong Fuk Estate
- Tung Cheong Street Community Hall on Tung Cheong Street
- Tai Po Community Centre on Heung Sze Wui Street
- Fu Shin Community Hall on On Po Road
- Good House at Shuen Wan Chan Uk
Po Leung Kuk’s Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis and their Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, both in Yuen Long, have also been offered up as emergency accommodations. A temporary shelter previously opened at Kwong Fuk Community Hall at Kwong Fuk Estate has now been closed due to police operations.
What can we do for Tai Po residents affected?
If there’s one thing Hongkongers do well in a crisis, it’s that we quickly band together and start working towards solutions. As the residents of Wang Fuk Court woke up displaced from their homes, donations of food and clothing have already come pouring in, and dozens of volunteers have gathered to sort out and arrange how supplies can be used. A neighbourhood secondary school, which has been converted into a temporary shelter, has received so many supplies like water, dried food, blankets, and clothing, that they’ve even started turning away donations this morning. Refer to the list of shelters above to see other locations where you can send donations.
The Hong Kong Red Cross has activated their emergency response and have been working to help affected Tai Po residents – here’s where you can donate to their efforts. The Yan Chai Hospital has an emergency assistance relief fund that is going towards the funerary needs of financially troubled families of the deceased. The Po Leung Kuk has already allocated $3 million of its charity fund for the disadvantaged to go towards financial relief for those injured or those with loved ones who died in the fire.
Sheng Kung Hui, of the Hong Kong Anglican Church, has set up their ‘Act of Love 1126 Fire Disaster Support Fund’ where all donations received will be used in full to offer cash grants or essential supplies to affected individuals and families. Meanwhile, the SPCA has also sent inspectors to Tai Po to assist with animal injuries on site. For help with animals and pets in need of first aid or healthcare, call their 24-hour hotline at 2711 1000. If you need to find temporary homes for healthy pets or animals affected by the Tai Po fire, call 6041 4552 or 2232 5553.
Distress and emotional support hotlines
If you are feeling depressed or distressed about the fire, you can call the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline at 18 111, which is staffed 24 hours a day by dedicated personnel. You can also reach out to Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong’s English Emotional Support Hotline at 2389 2223, or the 24-Hour Emotional Support Hotline at 2389 2222.
Additionally, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service has compiled information on support services for those affected, including temporary accommodation, emotional support, emergency lodging, financial assistance, bereavement support, and community support. Currently, the page is only in Traditional Chinese, but the sections and tables are arranged in the order mentioned above, and those in need can find hotlines and WhatsApp numbers for various charities and institutions under each section.
Traffic arrangements in and around Tai Po
Due to the fire at Wang Fuk Court, several roads remain closed. Currently, all lanes of the Tai Po Road–Yuen Chau Tsai section between Nam Wan Road and Tolo Highway are closed, in both directions, including the only lane of the slip roads from Tolo Highway to Tai Po Road–Yuen Chau Tsai (in both directions). All lanes of Kwong Wang Street (in both directions) are also closed, and all lanes of the section of Yuen Shin Road (Ting Kok Road-bound) between Tolo Highway and Tai Po Tai Wo Road also remain closed.
39 franchised bus routes passing through the affected closed sections will be diverted. Hong Kong’s Transport Department (TD) is urging the public to check the official TD website, take note of radio and television broadcasts, and consult the HKeMobility mobile app for the latest traffic updates before heading out on November 27.
School arrangements in Tai Po
Schools in Tai Po have been affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court and ensuing traffic congestion. Hong Kong’s Education Bureau announced that affected schools in the area would be closed and classes would be suspended on November 27, including:
- CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School
- Tai Po Baptist Public School
- S.K.H. Yuen Chen Maun Chen Primary School
- Ling Liang Church M H Lau Secondary School
- H.K. & Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association Sun Fong Chung College
- Po Leung Kuk Tin Ka Ping Millennium Primary School
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