A catastrophic fire tore through a public housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving nearly 300 residents unaccounted for, as authorities launched a large-scale investigation into the cause of the blaze.

The fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court estate — a high-rise public housing complex composed of eight 32-storey buildings — in the afternoon and quickly escalated into a Level 5 fire, the most serious category under Hong Kong’s fire alarm system.

The blaze reportedly began on the outer scaffolding of one tower, which was undergoing renovations and wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh. These materials, along with plastic sheeting and foam-sealed windows applied during maintenance, appear to have allowed the fire to spread explosively — engulfing multiple towers within minutes.

Eyewitnesses described how flames raced up exterior scaffolding and spread horizontally between buildings, while thick black smoke poured from windows across several floors. As night fell, rescue crews struggled to reach residents trapped inside, hindered by intense heat, falling debris, and structural instability.

By early Thursday morning, firefighters and emergency crews had brought four of the eight towers under partial control, but operations were still underway in the remaining blocks. Nearly 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters.

In the hours following the disaster, police arrested three men — two directors of a construction firm and one engineering consultant — on suspicion of manslaughter due to gross negligence. Authorities suspect that the flammable materials used during renovation and lax enforcement of safety standards contributed significantly to the scale of the fire.

Senior police officials indicated that protective mesh sheets, plastic tarpaulins, and even foam-sealed windows near elevator lobbies may have violated fire-resistance regulations, a factor now at the center of the investigation.

Among the deceased is a 37-year-old firefighter who was killed during rescue efforts. Dozens more are reported injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation, while over 45 remain in critical condition.

The disaster is being called the deadliest residential fire in Hong Kong in decades, drawing sharp comparisons to past tragedies and reigniting debates over building safety standards — particularly the use of bamboo scaffolding and other traditional materials in modern high-rise renovations.

Hong Kong leader John Lee and other senior officials have offered condolences to victims’ families and pledged full support for rescue, recovery, and a thorough review of building regulations. Meanwhile, residents and civil society groups have expressed outrage, narrowly calling the disaster a preventable tragedy fueled by negligence and cost-cutting measures.

As the city grapples with the emotional and physical aftermath, the fire has garnered international attention — with human rights and housing advocates highlighting the risks faced by low-income residents living in aging public estates. Many urge swift reforms to fire safety regulations and stronger oversight of renovation practices.

Government regulators have reportedly begun document reviews and plan to inspect all public housing complexes currently under renovation. In the immediate term, displaced residents have been moved to temporary shelters while authorities coordinate with NGOs and aid agencies to provide emergency housing, medical care, and counseling services.

As rescue efforts continue and investigators work to determine the full scale of the disaster, Hong Kong faces a painful reckoning — forced to ask whether the tragic loss of life was not just random, but a catastrophe that could have been prevented. (ILKHA)