The Kabul Tribune (KT) — At least 65 people have died in a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong, marking one of the deadliest fires in the city’s recent history, Reuters reported Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. Eyewitness videos shared on social media showed the blaze spreading with lightning speed across the apartment complex.
Reuters confirmed the location using bridge, tree, pole, building, and road landmarks, cross-referenced with file and satellite imagery. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire, but visuals from the scene showed flames racing along green netting covering bamboo scaffolding, with some bamboo lattices collapsing in fire.
The use of flammable bamboo scaffolding—a centuries-old tradition in Hong Kong—has drawn renewed scrutiny. While mainland China has largely switched to metal scaffolding for safety, the former British colony still has about 2,500 registered bamboo scaffolding masters. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told reporters the government is considering mandating metal scaffolding and has met with industry officials to discuss phasing out bamboo in construction.
The fire, which continues to unfold a day after it started, has prompted a flood of donations from China Inc. Developers may face long-term costs as authorities investigate possible negligence by the construction firm involved, which could lead to tougher safety standards across the industry. The tragedy may also influence Hong Kong’s housing policies, as the city grapples with providing more affordable housing for its residents.
Reuters noted that Hong Kong has faced deadly fires before, including a 1953 blaze in a squatter area that displaced nearly 60,000 people and led to the launch of a public housing program. The current disaster highlights ongoing risks in construction practices and the urgent need for regulatory reforms.
