Deadly Hong Kong Fire: Criminal Probe Launched After 83 Fatalities

Hong Kong is reeling from a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court public housing estate that has tragically killed at least 83 people and left more than 100 injured. The inferno, which began Wednesday afternoon, raged for over a day, critically hindering the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders battling intense heat and falling debris. The scale of the disaster has prompted a criminal investigation, with police arresting three individuals on suspicion of gross negligence. Concerns are mounting for over 200 residents who remain missing. The affected complex, housing over 4,000 people, was wrapped in traditional bamboo scaffolding for renovations. Investigators are focusing on whether flammable materials, including polystyrene boards discovered blocking windows, accelerated the fire’s deadly spread. Fire officials described the rapid spread as unusual and have referred the matter to police. The fire escalated quickly, engulfing scaffolding and leaping between multiple buildings. The incident has led to widespread displacement of residents and has highlighted the dangers of flammable construction materials. A review of Hong Kong’s reliance on bamboo scaffolding is underway, with new mandates for metal scaffolding in future public projects. A citywide inspection of building sites has been ordered. The full impact of this tragedy is still being assessed, with many families facing an uncertain future.