Here's the timeline reconstructed (published Dec 1st)
Hong Kong authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the city’s deadliest fire that killed at least 149 people. Scores more have been sent to hospital, with some in a critical condition. The disaster started to unfold on November 26, 2025, when a fire broke out at a housing estate in Tai Po. Firefighters were still battling blazes in three of the seven blocks involved nearly 20 hours after the fire started.
Published Nov 27
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Published Dec 3
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What we know so far:
159 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead. (Of the total, 140 people have been identified. Nineteen remain to be identified.)
79 injured, including 12 firefighters (37 injured people remain in hospital, with four in a critical condition. Nine are seriously injured.)
About 30 people remain unaccounted for
HK$2.3 billion raised for rescue and relief efforts
The eight blocks in Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh
Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam and substandard mesh caused the fire to spread rapidly
Government is setting up a judge-led independent review committee to investigate the disaster
Firm allegedly used fake safety certificates
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung says authorities are investigating a company that allegedly used falsified safety certificates for its scaffolding netting at Fung Wah Estate in Chai Wan and Fu Dat Court in Fortress Hill.
Mesh must be removed at 200 buildings by Saturday
All scaffolding mesh used on about 200 buildings across the city must be taken down within three days, or by Saturday, for the sake of public safety, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho says.
She also announces a new arrangement to test mesh by sampling it on site upon delivery, and for it to be tested by government-appointed labs.
6 arrested over fire alarm system
Chow says police have arrested six more people, on top of the earlier 15, in connection with the fire.
3 Indonesian helpers still unaccounted for
Forensic tests on remains
“We found some bones, and will get them tested and verified whether they are from animals or human beings,” police chief Chow says.
“We will try to test their DNA to confirm their identities and stay in contact with families who have reported their loved ones missing.”
Victims aged between 1 and 97
Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming says that the victims were aged between one year and 97. Among them were 49 men and 91 women. He warns the death toll may rise further as identification continues over the remains found in flats.
Three male and two female workers on the site, and 10 domestic helpers died in the fire.
Chow says 70 bodies were found in Wang Cheong House, the first building to catch fire. Another 82 dead were found in Wang Tai House. Three bodies were found in Wang Sun House, two in Wang Tao House, and one in Wang Shing House.
Published Nov 27
Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 83 as survivor found on stairs of building - as it happened
Many still missing while grief-stricken mother says she lost her baby in the fire.
www.scmp.com
Published Dec 3
Brief return to fire-hit Hong Kong estate for some residents – as it happened
Authorities also say scaffolding mesh on about 200 buildings across the city must be taken down within three days.
www.scmp.com
What we know so far:
159 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead. (Of the total, 140 people have been identified. Nineteen remain to be identified.)
79 injured, including 12 firefighters (37 injured people remain in hospital, with four in a critical condition. Nine are seriously injured.)
About 30 people remain unaccounted for
HK$2.3 billion raised for rescue and relief efforts
The eight blocks in Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh
Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam and substandard mesh caused the fire to spread rapidly
Government is setting up a judge-led independent review committee to investigate the disaster
Firm allegedly used fake safety certificates
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung says authorities are investigating a company that allegedly used falsified safety certificates for its scaffolding netting at Fung Wah Estate in Chai Wan and Fu Dat Court in Fortress Hill.
Mesh must be removed at 200 buildings by Saturday
All scaffolding mesh used on about 200 buildings across the city must be taken down within three days, or by Saturday, for the sake of public safety, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho says.
She also announces a new arrangement to test mesh by sampling it on site upon delivery, and for it to be tested by government-appointed labs.
6 arrested over fire alarm system
Chow says police have arrested six more people, on top of the earlier 15, in connection with the fire.
3 Indonesian helpers still unaccounted for
Forensic tests on remains
“We found some bones, and will get them tested and verified whether they are from animals or human beings,” police chief Chow says.
“We will try to test their DNA to confirm their identities and stay in contact with families who have reported their loved ones missing.”
Victims aged between 1 and 97
Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming says that the victims were aged between one year and 97. Among them were 49 men and 91 women. He warns the death toll may rise further as identification continues over the remains found in flats.
Three male and two female workers on the site, and 10 domestic helpers died in the fire.
Chow says 70 bodies were found in Wang Cheong House, the first building to catch fire. Another 82 dead were found in Wang Tai House. Three bodies were found in Wang Sun House, two in Wang Tao House, and one in Wang Shing House.
