Record #2025-1101: Wang Fuk Court Fire (Tai Po Fire Disaster)

November 26-28, 2025 | Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong

Statistics

Summary

On November 26, 2025, a catastrophic No. 5 Alarm fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court (宏福苑), a public housing estate in Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong. The fire burned for over 43 hours before being extinguished on November 28 at approximately 10:18 AM.

At the time of the fire, Wang Fuk Court was undergoing major renovation works, with scaffolding erected around all eight residential blocks. At approximately 2:51 PM on November 26, the scaffolding netting outside Wang Cheong House caught fire and began producing thick smoke. Within minutes, the fire spread to the remaining blocks, ultimately affecting 7 of the 8 buildings in the estate.

This incident was the second No. 5 Alarm fire since Hong Kong's handover in 1997 (the first being the 2008 Ka Wah Building fire), and the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since the 1948 Wing On Company warehouse fire in Shek Tong Tsui.

Key Facts

Data as of 2025-12-02 5:00 PM

• Confirmed deaths: At least 156 (1 firefighter, 126 identified, 29 unidentified bodies)
• Estimated total deaths: 216+
• Injured: At least 79
• Missing/Unknown status: 89 cases (30+ lost contact, 30+ unreachable, ~100 incomplete records)
• Hospitalized: 79 people (12 firefighters, 67 residents, 1 in ICU)
• Foreign workers affected:
  • Indonesian domestic workers: 9 dead, 36 missing, 1 hospitalized
  • Filipino domestic workers: 1 dead, 2 missing, 1 hospitalized
  • Construction workers: 4 dead, 1 missing, 2 hospitalized
• Arrests: 16 total
  • Manslaughter/Corruption: 13 (Police: 13, ICAC: 11, with 11 arrested by both agencies)
  • NSL-related: 3 (suspected sedition)
• Search operation: Estimated 3-4 weeks for full completion
• Animal statistics (as of Nov 30): 209 survived, 63 deceased
  • Birds: 8 survived, 8 deceased
  • Cats: 44 survived, 34 deceased
  • Dogs: 6 survived, 12 deceased
  • Fish: 56 survived
  • Reptiles: 3 survived
  • Rodents: 21 survived, 1 deceased
  • Snakes: 17 survived, 1 deceased
  • Turtles: 54 survived, 7 deceased

Those Who Died Saving Others

• Mr. HO Wai-ho (何偉豪), 37 - Firefighter, Sha Tin Fire Station, 9 years of service. Arrived at scene at 3:01 PM, lost contact around 3:30 PM while conducting rescue operations on the ground floor. Found at 4:01 PM in the open area outside Wang Cheong House with facial burns. Rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital; pronounced dead at 4:45 PM.
• Mr. CHAN, 69 - Sub-subcontractor foreman. Was working on the external wall of Wang Tai House on the 10th floor. Upon discovering the fire, he led workers to find fire hoses to fight the flames.
• Mr. MOK, 65 - Tile worker. Was working at Wang Tai House. After seeing the fire, he climbed into the building to alert residents to evacuate, and was later trapped in the fire.
• Mr. LAI, 71 - Sub-contractor supervisor. Was working in the office when he received a call about the fire. He went to the work site to help evacuate people and assist with firefighting on the ground, but was struck by falling debris and killed.
• Ms. LAU, 46 - Tile grouting worker. Was working on approximately the 12th-13th floor of Wang Tai House at the time. She left behind one son.
• Female Resident (name not disclosed) - 17th floor resident. When her husband notified her to evacuate, she did not leave immediately. Instead, she went door-to-door on the 17th floor to knock and warn her neighbors to escape, causing her to miss her chance to flee. She eventually retreated to her home and perished. She traded her own life for the lives of 4 people and 1 dog. Her husband stated: "I believe that in that moment, she had no regrets about her decision."

NSL-Related Arrests

The following individuals were arrested under the National Security Law in connection with this incident:

Date	Name	Description	Photo
2025-11-29	KWAN Ching-fung 關靖豐 (24)	CUHK student who initiated "Four Demands" petition; arrested for suspected incitement; bailed on Dec 1	[Photo]
2025-11-30	CHEUNG Kam-hung 張錦雄	Former pro-democracy district councillor; arrested for allegedly inciting hatred against gov't using disaster	[Photo]
2025-11-30	Ms. LEE "Ah Ching" 李姓女義工（阿澄）	Female volunteer; arrested for allegedly inciting hatred against gov't using disaster	-

Individuals Invited to Meet NSL Police

The following individuals were invited to meet with National Security Police (not arrested):

Date	Name	Identity	Situation
2025-12-02	LIU Shing-lee 廖成利	ADPL Chairman	Invited to meet NSL police; press conference cancelled
2025-12-02	LEE Ting-fung 李庭豐	ADPL Vice Chairman	Invited to meet NSL police; press conference cancelled
2025-12-02	NG Wing-fai 吳永輝	Democratic Party Central Committee member, Urban Planner	Invited to meet NSL police; press conference cancelled
2025-12-02	WONG Ngon-yin 王岸然	Commentator	Invited to meet NSL police; press conference cancelled

Documentation

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