A catastrophic five-alarm fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in four fatalities, five injuries, and the death of a dedicated firefighter. The massive conflagration, which began around 2:51 p.m., spread rapidly across several residential blocks, fuelled by external scaffolding and renovation materials, demanding a massive mobilization from the Fire Services Department (FSD).
The incident rapidly escalated following calls reporting flames on the exterior scaffolding of Wang Cheong House. Fanned by strong winds, the blaze quickly expanded, leaping from the protective netting and renovation structures on one block to penetrate numerous apartments across the multi-tower estate. The alarm level was systematically raised, culminating in a No. 5 alert at 6:22 p.m., signifying an extreme emergency requiring maximum resources.
Fire Officer Dies During Intense Rescue Operation
Among the victims was a member of the FSD, 37-year-old Ho Wai-ho, a nine-year veteran stationed at Sha Tin Fire Station. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung confirmed that Officer Ho was engaged in rescue operations on the ground level when contact was lost around 3:30 p.m.
He was located near 4:01 p.m. in an open area of Wang Cheong House with facial burns and rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m. The department has offered its deepest condolences to his family, promising comprehensive welfare and psychological support services. Another firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion during the operation.
The inferno caused significant loss of life, with four residents confirmed dead and five injured, including two individuals listed in critical condition. Medical teams from the Hospital Authority were deployed to the scene to assist with triage and emergency evacuation procedures.
Rapid Spread Linked to Renovation Works
Wang Fuk Court, completed in 1983, was undergoing extensive external refurbishment involving painting, plastering, and applying finishes, necessitating significant scaffolding and safety netting across the facades. Preliminary assessments suggest that these readily combustible materials acted as a conduit, enabling the fire to spread laterally and vertically with unusual speed across the estate’s exterior. Residents reported hearing multiple explosive sounds as the fire progressed.
The intense smoke and flames breached windows, causing significant interior damage to numerous units within the affected blocks. The enormous columns of smoke were visible from a considerable distance, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
FSD personnel continued active suppression efforts late into the evening, conducting systematic checks for trapped residents and coordinating evacuations. Authorities implemented traffic controls and security cordons around Tai Po Road to ensure unrestricted access for emergency vehicles.
Public Safety and Investigation Underway
Police have established a public hotline (1878 999) for inquiries related to casualties. Authorities urged nearby residents to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed for safety, and avoid the area to facilitate the ongoing rescue and recovery work.
A comprehensive investigation is expected to follow the containment of the blaze. Experts will focus on determining the precise ignition source and scrutinizing the exact role of the external cladding, scaffolding structures, and protective netting in the fire’s rapid propagation under the prevailing wind conditions. Structural assessments of the affected buildings are paramount and will commence once the site is deemed safe.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the potential safety hazards associated with large-scale, deep-exterior renovation projects on occupied tower blocks, particularly in densely populated urban environments. The findings from this investigation are crucial for informing future building safety codes and emergency response protocols concerning external construction sites.