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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/

The government has proposed a complete ban on smoking at construction sites following the blaze that tore through Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court last November. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong society

Photo of labourer smoking on scaffolding triggers anger after Tai Po blaze

Social media post shows construction worker smoking on bamboo scaffolding at residential building, prompting calls for company to act.

3 hours ago

Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court resident cherishes chance to capture final photo of sea from flat

25 Apr 2026 - 11:11PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy: Video

Video | ‘My home is right here. Why would I bid it farewell?’

25 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents make long climb to retrieve family treasures

Jewellery, cash, photo albums and keepsakes linked to dead loved ones among items reclaimed by residents.

25 Apr 2026 - 5:38PMvideocam

A resident collects personal belongings from Wang Sun House. Photo: Eugene Lee

Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

Changes to fire services law with tougher penalties set for public consultation

Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:12PM

Accidents and personal safety

Departments must communicate better, fire chief tells Tai Po blaze hearing

But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung insists authorities have clear divisions of work for supervision of renovation projects.

24 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Hong Kong

A ‘final piano song’ offers closure as residents say goodbye to Wang Fuk Court

Residents make emotional return to fire-ravaged flats, salvaging belongings and taking one last look.

24 Apr 2026 - 9:36PM

Residents made an emotional return to their fire-ravaged flats at Wang Fuk Court to salvage belongings. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong

Contractors must justify shutdowns under tighter scrutiny: fire chief

Andy Yeung tells committee that Fire Services Department will amend laws, tighten oversight of fire services installation contractors.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

Video | Wang Fuk Court fire survivors return to worst-hit tower

A Wang Cheong House resident said he had braced for the worst before entering his destroyed home.

23 Apr 2026 - 7:09PM

Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

Hong Kong fire services declined Tai Po alert over confusion fears, inquiry hears

System, which triggers high-pitched alarm on mobile phones, would have offered little help as it takes up to one hour to activate, officer says.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

Derek Chan (right) arrives at City Gallery in Central for the hearing. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire probe: no emergency alert sent over fears of unpredictable responses

Judge David Lok urges distinction between firefighting and fire prevention, says officers at the scene had to make many difficult decisions.

23 Apr 2026 - 2:09PM

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

‘Lifetime of memories’: survivors return to worst-hit Wang Fuk Court block

Survivors recount narrow escapes and salvage belongings, as some demand accountability and criticise time limits after deadly blaze.

23 Apr 2026 - 10:52PMvideocam

Legislative Council of Hong Kong

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

Security Bureau plans to propose legal amendments to improve oversight following deadly Tai Po fire last November.

23 Apr 2026 - 2:54AM

Accidents and personal safety

‘Regulatory vacuum’: Hong Kong fire probe reveals confusion over safety roles

Testimony by fire services officials shows departments split over handling complaints on Wang Fuk Court renovations.

22 Apr 2026 - 11:52PM

Members of the media wait outside City Gallery in Central. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong society

Residents leave prayers and flowers on third day of return to Wang Fuk Court

Group are latest batch of residents to return to their flats in Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court under special government arrangement.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:56PM

Residents return to retrieve their belongings from Wang Fuk Court’s Wang Sun House in Tai Po. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.

22 Apr 2026 - 3:20PM

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po blaze probe: temporary removal of fireproof windows ‘complied with rules’

Panel chairman questions whether interests of workers and residents are at odds under existing regulations.

21 Apr 2026 - 8:32PM

Hong Kong

More Wang Fuk Court residents return to search for items in fire-ravaged homes

On second day of residents’ return to their devastated homes, some bid emotional farewell while others say three hours is insufficient time for packing.

21 Apr 2026 - 11:19PMvideocam

A resident surnamed Lou found the remains of his Leica camera amid ashes. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Hard to enforce fire safety even under amended laws: Tai Po probe chairman

Labour Department found that no workers smoked on site, safety officer says, suggesting that those repeatedly seen smoking eluded inspections.

21 Apr 2026 - 5:56PM

Hong Kong society

Editorial | As Tai Po fire victims return to flats, Hong Kong looks for closure

While pain and grief will be relived, it is a process of healing and closure for residents and the Hong Kong public.

21 Apr 2026 - 6:45AM

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

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

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

More than 1,700 households have been given three-hour time slots to enter their homes for the first time since the November fire.

20 Apr 2026 - 7:41PM

02:20

Hong Kong

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

Committee member also admits owners’ corporation failed to follow through with threats to fine contractor for workers’ persistent smoking on site.

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’.

21 Apr 2026 - 12:32AM

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

Some of the tools residents can consider taking with them when they return to their flats in Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

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

The catastrophic fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court claimed 168 lives and destroyed all but one of the estate’s eight buildings. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

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

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Photo of labourer smoking on scaffolding triggers anger after Tai Po blaze

Social media post shows construction worker smoking on bamboo scaffolding at residential building, prompting calls for company to act.

Wang Fuk Court resident cherishes chance to capture final photo of sea from flat

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | ‘My home is right here. Why would I bid it farewell?’

Wang Fuk Court residents make long climb to retrieve family treasures

Jewellery, cash, photo albums and keepsakes linked to dead loved ones among items reclaimed by residents.

Changes to fire services law with tougher penalties set for public consultation

Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month.

Departments must communicate better, fire chief tells Tai Po blaze hearing

But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung insists authorities have clear divisions of work for supervision of renovation projects.

A ‘final piano song’ offers closure as residents say goodbye to Wang Fuk Court

Residents make emotional return to fire-ravaged flats, salvaging belongings and taking one last look.

Contractors must justify shutdowns under tighter scrutiny: fire chief

Andy Yeung tells committee that Fire Services Department will amend laws, tighten oversight of fire services installation contractors.

Video | Wang Fuk Court fire survivors return to worst-hit tower

A Wang Cheong House resident said he had braced for the worst before entering his destroyed home.

Hong Kong fire services declined Tai Po alert over confusion fears, inquiry hears

System, which triggers high-pitched alarm on mobile phones, would have offered little help as it takes up to one hour to activate, officer says.

Tai Po fire probe: no emergency alert sent over fears of unpredictable responses

Judge David Lok urges distinction between firefighting and fire prevention, says officers at the scene had to make many difficult decisions.

‘Lifetime of memories’: survivors return to worst-hit Wang Fuk Court block

Survivors recount narrow escapes and salvage belongings, as some demand accountability and criticise time limits after deadly blaze.

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

Security Bureau plans to propose legal amendments to improve oversight following deadly Tai Po fire last November.

‘Regulatory vacuum’: Hong Kong fire probe reveals confusion over safety roles

Testimony by fire services officials shows departments split over handling complaints on Wang Fuk Court renovations.

Residents leave prayers and flowers on third day of return to Wang Fuk Court

Group are latest batch of residents to return to their flats in Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court under special government arrangement.

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.

Tai Po blaze probe: temporary removal of fireproof windows ‘complied with rules’

Panel chairman questions whether interests of workers and residents are at odds under existing regulations.

More Wang Fuk Court residents return to search for items in fire-ravaged homes

On second day of residents’ return to their devastated homes, some bid emotional farewell while others say three hours is insufficient time for packing.

Hard to enforce fire safety even under amended laws: Tai Po probe chairman

Labour Department found that no workers smoked on site, safety officer says, suggesting that those repeatedly seen smoking eluded inspections.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | As Tai Po fire victims return to flats, Hong Kong looks for closure

While pain and grief will be relived, it is a process of healing and closure for residents and the Hong Kong public.

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.

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

More than 1,700 households have been given three-hour time slots to enter their homes for the first time since the November fire.

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

Committee member also admits owners’ corporation failed to follow through with threats to fine contractor for workers’ persistent smoking on site.

‘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.

Video | ‘My home is right here. Why would I bid it farewell?’

Editorial | As Tai Po fire victims return to flats, Hong Kong looks for closure