A large-scale fire ravaged 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 to repair exterior walls, became a direct path for the flames and allowed the fire to quickly spread 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 published the clip under the headline “Inside view of the Hong Kong fire.” From the perspective of a trapped resident, the footage shows bamboo scaffolding positioned dangerously close to the building, engulfed in flames. The intense fire and choking smoke created a thick, foggy atmosphere, forcing the individual to cough repeatedly before closing the window.
By the afternoon of November 27, at least 55 people had died in the devastating fire that swept through the Tai Po residential complex. The fire, which lasted almost 24 hours, required a large response from fire and rescue teams.
Officials also noted that among those previously listed as missing, 279 cases had been treated, although they did not disclose whether the people had been hospitalized, discharged or located elsewhere. In total, authorities received 341 requests for assistance.
The fire brigade confirmed that the fires in four of the seven residential buildings have been brought under control, while the fires in the remaining three buildings are now under control.
To support large-scale rescue and containment efforts, authorities deployed four drones, 11 fire hoses and 26 rescue teams. The Hong Kong Fire Department mobilized 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, with 1,250 firefighters participating.
The Wang Fuk estate, built 42 years ago, consists of eight residential towers with a total of 1,984 residential units. Before the accident, the buildings were undergoing external wall repairs, leaving all external surfaces covered in bamboo scaffolding. Around 3pm on November 26, residents noticed that part of the scaffolding of a building had caught fire. Fanned by strong winds, the flames quickly traveled along the interconnected bamboo structure, spreading to nearby buildings and setting fire to multiple residential units due to the intense heat.
Hong Kong authorities continue search, rescue and damage assessment efforts as the city recovers from one of the deadliest residential fires in recent years.
Sources: K14
