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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Latest news and updates on the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district that killed 168 people, including a firefighter. Scores of people were also hurt.

Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

Bank of China account: 012 8752 190 1597

Hong Kong Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org.hk/en/index.html

Operation Santa Claus Emergency Appeal

https://oschk.org/

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council

https://www.skhwc.org.hk/en/

Hong Kong Family Welfare Society

https://www.hkfws.org.hk/en/home

Po Leung Kuk

https://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en

Feeding Hong Kong

https://feedinghk.org/

Jason Kong talks to the press after his testimony. Photo: Elson Li

Accidents and personal safety

Vote rigging at Wang Fuk Court went unchecked before deadly fire, inquiry hears

Ex-committee member Jason Kong says proxy votes kept predecessors in power until controversial HK$336 million renovation led to their ousting.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:31PM

Video | ‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings

20 Apr 2026 - 7:41PM

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire probe: member alleges rigged votes in management committee election

20 Apr 2026 - 5:59PM

Hong Kong

‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says first day of phased re-entry proceeded ‘in an orderly manner’ and describes process as ‘largely smooth’.

4 hours ago

A resident surnamed Wong has said his seventh-floor flat in Wang Sun House was heavily damaged in the fire. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong

Returning to a fire-ravaged home in Wang Fuk Court: what to prepare

If you plan to return to the Tai Po fire site to retrieve belongings, here are some ways to navigate the terrain and deal with emotional triggers.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents prepare for emotional return to site of deadly fire

Grief counsellor and psychologist help residents prepare physically and mentally for the expected ‘sensory shock’ of returning to ravaged homes.

18 Apr 2026 - 11:23PM

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po fire: owners’ group repeatedly complained about use of flammable materials

Former management committee chair says residents felt ‘helpless’ and ‘couldn’t find anything in Hong Kong law to justify our demands’.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:58PM

Tony Tsui, former chairman of the estate’s management committee for the owners’ group, arrives at City Gallery. Photo: Edmond So

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong to scrap fax messaging between police and fire services for emergencies

Security chief Chris Tang says system to be digitised after Tai Po fire inquiry reveals use of fax for sharing emergency appeals gathered online.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

Hong Kong

Tai Po probe: owners urged contractor to use fire-resistant materials ‘in vain’

Spotlight on oversight failures as attention turns to management committee and contractor conduct, with former chair set to testify.

17 Apr 2026 - 4:19PM

Accidents and personal safety

We failed to check if workers smoked at Wang Fuk Court, firms tell fire hearing

Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:12PMvideocam

The blaze devastated several high-rise blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire probe: resident recalls deaths of family members – as it happened

Resident says he kept calling his mother every 15 minutes and made a video call at around 9pm during which he saw the flat in complete darkness.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:22PM

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Sam Tsang

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po blaze: official defends refusing mainland Chinese firefighters’ help

Mainland counterparts may not have adapted to local environment nor communicated effectively, Hong Kong fire services officer says at hearing.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:40PM

Mainland China

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:39PM

Hong Kong

100‑metre ladders ‘unsuitable’ for narrow Hong Kong roads, Tai Po fire probe told

Fire Services Department explains its choice of equipment to fight blaze, while police stress buildings were thoroughly searched for survivors.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:52PM

Seven out of Wang Fuk Court’s eight buildings were destroyed in the blaze. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong retiree gets 1 year in jail for seditious social media comments

Raymond Chong, 61, pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court to knowingly publishing 53 seditious Facebook posts that denigrated central and local authorities.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:45PM

The court knocked six months off Raymond Chong’s 18-month sentence in recognition of his guilty plea. Photo: Jelly Tse

Accidents and personal safety

Firefighters prioritised tackling blaze over rescues, Tai Po probe hears

‘If you cannot put out the fire, how can you save those trapped inside?’ commander tells committee investigating Wang Fuk Court disaster.

13 Apr 2026 - 7:54PM

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire probe: no commander to track firefighters’ entry records – as it happened

Committee chair says firefighters’ efforts during blaze will always be appreciated regardless of inquiry outcome, adding most faced unprecedented situation.

13 Apr 2026 - 4:51PM

Hong Kong

380 Wang Fuk Court households seek second visit to collect belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says authorities will assess requests after first round of visits from April 20 to May 4.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:17PM

Wang Fuk Court was engulfed in flames last Novembe. Under the current arrangement, displaced residents can send at most four people to retrieve their belongings for up to three hours. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong

Hong Kong proposes mandatory renovation briefings to combat bid-rigging

Amendment to Building Management Ordinance aimed at enhancing homeowners’ participation and closing existing legal gaps after fatal Tai Po fire.

11 Apr 2026 - 7:09PM

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po blaze: no fire risk checks done for HK$336 million estate renovation

Authorities did not pay special attention to fire hazards at residential estates undergoing large-scale maintenance before deadly fire, official says.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:02PM

Hong Kong

Hong Kong authorities spend HK$34 million on Tai Po fire recovery works

Expenditure mainly covers removal of dangerous scaffolding and nets, and support to police and other departments in clearing debris.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:31PM

Hong Kong

Day 10 of probe: fire department admits delays, ‘inadequate’ safety checks

Assistant director of Fire Services Department says shutting down fire systems not necessary for draining rooftop tanks.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:05PM

The fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 residents. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong courts

Cook jailed for 11 months over selling account used to dupe Tai Po fire donors

Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.

9 Apr 2026 - 6:56PM

Hong Kong

Alleged petition forgery investigated as Wang Fuk Court rebuild plan rejected

Property owners had organised petition and emailed Hop On Management Company to raise concerns and request owners’ meeting.

9 Apr 2026 - 10:42PM

Hong Kong fires and safety

Tai Po blaze: no fire safety system checks before firm sent 85 shutdown notices

Fire services company also concedes it acted as ‘rubber stamp’ for renovation contractor, during hearing into deadly inferno.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:36PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court left 168 people dead. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong society

Some Wang Fuk Court residents float ‘profit-making’ in-situ rebuilding plan

Proposal calls for rebuilding half of estate’s eight blocks with higher plot ratio, suggesting government can earn HK$6.4 billion.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:50PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court last November killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 others. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

Tai Po probe: no on-site checks by firm due to ‘busy’ schedule – as it happened

Director of contractor responsible for estate’s fire services equipment suspects workers drew water from tanks, calling it a serious problem.

8 Apr 2026 - 6:31PM

Mainland China

‘Wang Fuk Court briefing to give residents answers before decisions are made’

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says issues can be more easily addressed at briefing, allowing residents to understand the details better.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Vote rigging at Wang Fuk Court went unchecked before deadly fire, inquiry hears

Ex-committee member Jason Kong says proxy votes kept predecessors in power until controversial HK$336 million renovation led to their ousting.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | ‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings

Tai Po fire probe: member alleges rigged votes in management committee election

‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says first day of phased re-entry proceeded ‘in an orderly manner’ and describes process as ‘largely smooth’.

Returning to a fire-ravaged home in Wang Fuk Court: what to prepare

If you plan to return to the Tai Po fire site to retrieve belongings, here are some ways to navigate the terrain and deal with emotional triggers.

Wang Fuk Court residents prepare for emotional return to site of deadly fire

Grief counsellor and psychologist help residents prepare physically and mentally for the expected ‘sensory shock’ of returning to ravaged homes.

Tai Po fire: owners’ group repeatedly complained about use of flammable materials

Former management committee chair says residents felt ‘helpless’ and ‘couldn’t find anything in Hong Kong law to justify our demands’.

Hong Kong to scrap fax messaging between police and fire services for emergencies

Security chief Chris Tang says system to be digitised after Tai Po fire inquiry reveals use of fax for sharing emergency appeals gathered online.

Tai Po probe: owners urged contractor to use fire-resistant materials ‘in vain’

Spotlight on oversight failures as attention turns to management committee and contractor conduct, with former chair set to testify.

We failed to check if workers smoked at Wang Fuk Court, firms tell fire hearing

Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.

Tai Po fire probe: resident recalls deaths of family members – as it happened

Resident says he kept calling his mother every 15 minutes and made a video call at around 9pm during which he saw the flat in complete darkness.

Tai Po blaze: official defends refusing mainland Chinese firefighters’ help

Mainland counterparts may not have adapted to local environment nor communicated effectively, Hong Kong fire services officer says at hearing.

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

100‑metre ladders ‘unsuitable’ for narrow Hong Kong roads, Tai Po fire probe told

Fire Services Department explains its choice of equipment to fight blaze, while police stress buildings were thoroughly searched for survivors.

Hong Kong retiree gets 1 year in jail for seditious social media comments

Raymond Chong, 61, pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court to knowingly publishing 53 seditious Facebook posts that denigrated central and local authorities.

Firefighters prioritised tackling blaze over rescues, Tai Po probe hears

‘If you cannot put out the fire, how can you save those trapped inside?’ commander tells committee investigating Wang Fuk Court disaster.

Tai Po fire probe: no commander to track firefighters’ entry records – as it happened

Committee chair says firefighters’ efforts during blaze will always be appreciated regardless of inquiry outcome, adding most faced unprecedented situation.

380 Wang Fuk Court households seek second visit to collect belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says authorities will assess requests after first round of visits from April 20 to May 4.

Hong Kong proposes mandatory renovation briefings to combat bid-rigging

Amendment to Building Management Ordinance aimed at enhancing homeowners’ participation and closing existing legal gaps after fatal Tai Po fire.

Tai Po blaze: no fire risk checks done for HK$336 million estate renovation

Authorities did not pay special attention to fire hazards at residential estates undergoing large-scale maintenance before deadly fire, official says.

Hong Kong authorities spend HK$34 million on Tai Po fire recovery works

Expenditure mainly covers removal of dangerous scaffolding and nets, and support to police and other departments in clearing debris.

Day 10 of probe: fire department admits delays, ‘inadequate’ safety checks

Assistant director of Fire Services Department says shutting down fire systems not necessary for draining rooftop tanks.

Cook jailed for 11 months over selling account used to dupe Tai Po fire donors

Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.

Alleged petition forgery investigated as Wang Fuk Court rebuild plan rejected

Property owners had organised petition and emailed Hop On Management Company to raise concerns and request owners’ meeting.

Tai Po blaze: no fire safety system checks before firm sent 85 shutdown notices

Fire services company also concedes it acted as ‘rubber stamp’ for renovation contractor, during hearing into deadly inferno.

Some Wang Fuk Court residents float ‘profit-making’ in-situ rebuilding plan

Proposal calls for rebuilding half of estate’s eight blocks with higher plot ratio, suggesting government can earn HK$6.4 billion.

Tai Po probe: no on-site checks by firm due to ‘busy’ schedule – as it happened

Director of contractor responsible for estate’s fire services equipment suspects workers drew water from tanks, calling it a serious problem.

‘Wang Fuk Court briefing to give residents answers before decisions are made’

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says issues can be more easily addressed at briefing, allowing residents to understand the details better.

Video | ‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings