At least 55 killed and nearly 300 missing as police blame “grossly negligent” construction work in tragedy echoing London’s Grenfell Tower
MARKET INSIDER – is reeling from one of the worst urban disasters in its modern history after a massive fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, killing at least 55 people and leaving nearly 300 unaccounted for. As the blaze continued burning more than 24 hours after it erupted, police said preliminary evidence points to “grossly negligent” renovation practices — raising urgent questions about construction oversight, fire safety standards and corruption in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
The inferno spread rapidly across the tightly packed complex in the northern Tai Po district, home to more than 4,600 residents. Flames engulfed multiple 32-storey towers wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh — materials that authorities now say may have violated fire regulations. Firefighters battled extreme heat and choking smoke as panicked residents searched for loved ones, some clutching photos of missing children or elderly relatives.
Police have arrested three men from the building’s maintenance contractor — two directors and one engineering consultant — on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigators say windows in at least one block had been sealed with flammable foam during ongoing renovations costing HK$330 million, potentially trapping smoke inside and accelerating the spread of the fire. The city’s anti-corruption agency has opened a separate probe into suspected wrongdoing tied to the project.
The scale of the tragedy — Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948 — has drawn comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster, which killed 72 people and became a global symbol of regulatory failure. Survivors’ groups from the U.K. voiced support for Hong Kong residents, warning of the human cost when safety standards and oversight collapse.
Beijing has taken the rare step of publicly intervening, with Chinese President Xi Jinping ordering an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties. With more than 900 displaced residents now sheltering in temporary facilities, local frustration is boiling over as videos circulate online showing workers smoking on bamboo scaffolding and residents alleging cost-cutting throughout the renovation process.
The disaster also arrives at a politically sensitive moment. Hong Kong faces a citywide legislative election in early December, and public anger over housing safety — already a long-standing source of discontent in a city defined by extreme property prices — threatens to intensify scrutiny of government accountability.
As the search for survivors continues and the death toll rises, the global spotlight is turning toward a deeper question: in a financial hub built on towering real estate and rapid development, how many more fire risks lie hidden behind the city’s skyline — and how quickly will authorities act before the next tragedy strikes?
