Hong Kong experiences deadliest fire in decades as survivors question how it occurred.

For more than thirty minutes, Wan remained inside his apartment watching television, oblivious to the fire spreading next door. Even the distant sound of sirens and commotion outside seemed like the usual bustle of a Hong Kong afternoon. Only when he heard people shouting for help did he approach his eighth-floor window and witness thick smoke pouring from the neighboring towers.

The fire began intensifying around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday in one of the eight residential towers of the Wang Fuk Court public housing complex. By the time Wan noticed, it had already spread across the other towers, all under renovation and draped in bamboo scaffolding. Flames raced upward, causing scorched poles to collapse from the buildings exteriors.

Wan quickly gathered his wallet and two dogs, descending an emergency stairwell filled with the smell of gas. Shortly after his evacuation, authorities declared the fire a Level 4 alarm, the second-highest rating on Hong Kongs five-tier system.

As the afternoon turned to evening, the scale of destruction became apparent. By 6 p.m., the fire reached a Level 5 alarm. Thousands of onlookers and residents, many elderly, watched helplessly as the complex, home to over 4,000 people, was consumed by flames. Community chat groups lit up with frantic messages as families sought news of loved ones.

Many residents questioned whether the tragedy could have been prevented, citing construction safety issues, silent fire alarms, and costly renovation projects. Authorities have made three arrests and launched criminal and anticorruption investigations amid growing public pressure.

Wan and his wife spent the night at an emergency shelter with hundreds of others. Theres no home to return to. We have nothing, not even clothes, he said, describing the scene at a temporary sports center turned relief center where volunteers distributed food and supplies.

At least 94 deaths have been confirmed, making this the deadliest fire in decades in Hong Kong, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Residents reported previous concerns about the construction materials, such as scaffold netting and polystyrene boards, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Inspections conducted by the Labour Department included warnings to contractors, but compliance was uncertain.

Many residents reported delays in evacuation and non-functioning fire alarms. Elderly individuals were particularly vulnerable, reflecting Hong Kongs aging population. Most residents of Wang Fuk Court are 65 or older, and public housing units are highly sought after due to the citys exorbitant property prices.

Authorities have pledged inspections of all housing estates undergoing major renovations, while Hong Kongs anti-corruption body has launched a dedicated task force to investigate renovation-related misconduct.

Hundreds of residents, including those who recently purchased apartments or spent months renovating, are now left homeless. Relief efforts continue with donation drives and temporary shelters set up throughout Tai Po.

The fire has devastated a community cherished for its pedestrian streets, bike paths, and nearby hiking trails, leaving many struggling with the immediate loss of homes, possessions, and, tragically, loved ones.

Analysis: The Tragic Fire at Wang Fuk Court and the Implications for Public Safety

The devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court on Wednesday afternoon has highlighted critical issues related to public housing safety, particularly in the context of ongoing renovations. With at least 94 confirmed deaths and hundreds still missing, this fire marks the deadliest disaster in Hong Kong in decades. The scale of the tragedy has raised serious concerns about construction safety, fire preparedness, and the effectiveness of oversight in public housing projects.

One of the most alarming factors contributing to the rapid spread of the fire appears to be the use of construction materials that are prone to igniting quickly. Reports from residents suggest that scaffold netting and polystyrene boards were used in renovations, which may have accelerated the fire’s intensity. Despite prior warnings from the Labour Department about these materials, compliance among contractors appears to have been inadequate. The authorities have now promised comprehensive inspections of housing estates undergoing major renovations, but this comes too late for the victims of Wang Fuk Court.

The delayed evacuation and malfunctioning fire alarms also point to systemic failures that worsened the disaster’s impact. The elderly, who make up a significant portion of the residents in public housing estates like Wang Fuk Court, were particularly vulnerable. The fire alarm system, which failed to activate, and the confusion during evacuation, put many lives at risk. These shortcomings in public safety measures are compounded by a broader issue facing Hong Kong—its aging population and the shortage of affordable housing.

As the city mourns the loss of at least 94 lives, questions about accountability loom large. Authorities have launched criminal investigations and anti-corruption probes into the renovation process. This move, while necessary, raises the broader question of whether current safety regulations are robust enough to prevent such disasters in the future. Without significant reforms to construction safety and fire prevention standards, it is likely that the city will continue to face similar risks in its aging public housing infrastructure.

In the wake of the fire, residents are now left to rebuild their lives from scratch, with many homeless and without even basic belongings. The tragedy has sparked widespread community action, including donation drives and temporary shelters. However, these efforts will only provide short-term relief. Long-term, comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure that such a devastating event is never repeated. The fire at Wang Fuk Court serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability and more rigorous safety standards in Hong Kong's public housing sector.

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• Hong Kong has suffered its deadliest fire in decades. Survivors are asking how it was allowed to happen