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Hong Kong Fire Sparks Outrage as 94 Lives at Risk
Public anger in Hong Kong has deepened after authorities confirmed that at least 94 people died in the Wang Fuk Court fire, one of the city’s worst residential disasters in decades.
Although fire crews have now extinguished the flames, the aftermath has raised serious questions about building safety and accountability.
Police say early findings suggest the blaze spread quickly because flammable mesh and plastic sheets were installed around the towers for renovation.
Three senior officials from the construction company handling the project have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Residents say the tragedy reflects long-ignored warnings. Many claim that fire alarms in the estate were switched off during ongoing construction work, leaving people unaware when the fire started.
Some also say workers frequently smoked around the building, and poor-quality materials were visibly used on the scaffolding.
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“This was preventable,” said a resident, who accused contractors of neglect and cutting corners. Another homeowner said people had repeatedly raised concerns about safety hazards but “nobody took it seriously.”
The fire displaced hundreds and left nearly 300 people still unaccounted for. Hospitals across Hong Kong are treating dozens of survivors, including several in critical condition. Families have been moving from one medical facility to another, searching for missing relatives.
A firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, was among the casualties. More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed, and authorities say crews broke into multiple apartments during the search.
The government has launched a corruption and safety probe, while construction experts say the incident may force a review of Hong Kong’s use of bamboo scaffolding and other materials common in older construction practices.
Officials are expected to provide further updates as investigations deepen and families continue to wait for answers.
