HONG KONG — Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a massive, multi-faceted investigation into the catastrophic five-alarm blaze that engulfed the Hong Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, claiming the lives of 128 people, including one 37-year-old firefighter, and injuring 83 more. The fire, which raged for over 43 hours, has also left approximately 150 individuals unaccounted for, prompting grim recovery efforts and a government-led period of mourning that began Friday, November 29.
The devastating inferno, which swept through seven of the estate’s eight towers built in 1983, has triggered immediate high-level inquiries into both the cause of the conflagration and the extent of alleged negligence surrounding recent large-scale renovation works.
Investigation Focuses on Fire Spread and Fatalities
A newly convened interdepartmental task force held its inaugural meeting immediately following the disaster to establish two primary lines of inquiry. The first will probe the origin of the blaze—believed to have started in the lower levels of Wang Cheong Court—and the mechanics of its rapid spread across multiple structures. Security officials previously indicated that the initial fire likely involved scaffolding netting before quickly escalating due to highly flammable polystyrene insulation boards used to enclose windows during the ongoing renovations. Preliminary checks also revealed that the buildings’ fire alarms were inoperative, potentially hindering a timely evacuation.
The second area of focus is determining why the fire resulted in such a high casualty count.
Simultaneously, the Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) entered the heavily restricted zone on Friday to begin the painstaking process of searching for human remains. Teams are utilizing personal effects, physical characteristics, and DNA records to confirm the identities of the deceased, a necessary step given the severity of the destruction. As of late Friday, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed one of the victims was a Filipino national.
Arrests Made Amid Criminal and Corruption Probes
The tragedy has quickly devolved into a sprawling criminal investigation. Already, three executives from the construction engineering company overseeing the refurbishment project—aged 52 to 68—were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Separately, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) arrested eight individuals, including two directors and two managers from the consultancy firm, a couple who owned the scaffolding subcontractor, and an intermediary. These arrests stem from a deepening probe into potential corruption linked to the massive, HK$330 million (approximately US$42.2 million) renovation scheme, which had previously caused bitter disputes among homeowners over the high costs and alleged lack of transparency in the bidding process.
In a separate development highlighting the tense atmosphere, a man was arrested by the police National Security Department for allegedly attempting to incite unrest through an online group and petition related to the fire.
Government Commits to Relief and Reconstruction
The magnitude of the loss prompted the government to declare a three-day period of mourning, concluding December 1, during which flags across all government buildings and facilities will fly at half-mast. Public mourning stations have been established across all 18 districts by the Home Affairs Department, drawing hundreds of citizens who have spontaneously traveled to the site to lay flowers.
For the approximately 6,000 residents affected by the displacement and damage, relief funds are being distributed. The government has already processed registrations for emergency cash assistance from over 1,800 households, with one-off payments of HK$10,000 distributed to nearly 1,000 families to address immediate needs. Further support includes compassion funds of HK$200,000 for each family of the deceased and HK$50,000 in immediate living assistance for affected families next week.
Structural engineers who inspected the least damaged blocks, Wang Yan Court and Wang Dao Court, found no immediate structural risk, though temporary shoring-up of some units is required.
The disaster also affected numerous animals; the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) reported handling over 180 pets from the site, with 45 fatalities recorded. The continuing investigation into the causes of the fire and the accountability of those involved ensures intense public and governmental scrutiny in the coming weeks as Hong Kong grapples with one of its deadliest residential fires in decades.
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