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Hong Kong housing fire kills 128 as safety failures spark outrage
Anger is rising in Hong Kong after a catastrophic fire tore through a subsidized housing complex on Wednesday, killing at least 128 people and leaving dozens critically injured. Authorities suspect substandard renovation materials-including mesh and plastic sheets-accelerated the blaze, which burned for over 24 hours before firefighters extinguished it.
Firefighting operations concluded Friday, but dozens of residents remain unaccounted for. Officials have arrested three renovation supervisors on manslaughter charges and launched a corruption probe, as residents and online critics label the disaster a "man-made catastrophe."
Fire alarms failed as residents warned of risks
Multiple residents told local media that fire alarms did not activate when the blaze began. Authorities confirmed Friday that inspections revealed malfunctioning alarms across all eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex. Kiko Ma, a Hong Kong resident who owns an apartment in the estate but lives in Canada, told the BBC that alarms had been deactivated during renovations, as workers frequently used fire escapes for access.
"This was preventable," Ma, 33, said, alleging that contractors used "poor quality, flammable materials" and that workers often smoked near window ledges. "People kept asking what would happen if there was a fire. Everyone was very worried."
Deadliest fire in six decades exposes systemic flaws
The disaster surpasses Hong Kong's previous deadliest blaze-a 1962 inferno in Sham Shui Po that killed 44-marking the city's worst fire in at least 63 years. Wang Fuk Court, built in the 1980s in the northeastern Tai Po district, comprises eight 31-story towers, seven of which were engulfed. The complex housed roughly 4,600 people, nearly 40% of them aged 65 or older, according to 2021 census data.
Firefighters faced extreme conditions, including scorching temperatures, collapsing scaffolding, and cramped apartment layouts. Hong Kong's public rental housing is notorious for its tiny units, averaging just 14.1 square meters per tenant. Hundreds of displaced residents have been moved to shelters or emergency housing.
Bamboo scaffolding under scrutiny amid phase-out plans
Investigators are examining whether mesh netting, plastic, and canvas sheets used in renovations met fire codes. Experts suggest the bamboo scaffolding-ubiquitous in Hong Kong construction-may have fueled the fire's rapid spread. Earlier this year, authorities announced plans to replace bamboo with fire-resistant steel, citing its flammability and deterioration over time.
Residents had previously raised concerns about renovation plans, which resurfaced online after the fire. One homeowner, speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity, called the process "fundamentally shady," alleging contractors manipulated elderly residents into supporting cost-cutting measures. Another resident, Mr. Lai, noted that a Central district building burned last month due to bamboo scaffolding, questioning "systemic weaknesses" in oversight.
Citywide inspections ordered as calls for accountability grow
Hong Kong officials on Thursday mandated safety inspections at all housing estates undergoing "major repairs," focusing on scaffolding and building materials. The move follows years of resident complaints about lax enforcement. Mr. Lai, a sales associate, told the BBC that construction firms "often prioritise cost efficiency over safety," and that repeated warnings-including calls to replace the estate's management committee-were ignored.
A viral social media post declared the fire "not an accident," echoing widespread demands for transparency. With three supervisors arrested and a corruption inquiry underway, pressure is mounting on authorities to address what critics call a pattern of negligence in public housing maintenance.
