Hong Kong Housing Complex Fire Death Toll Rises to 44, 3 Arrested

A devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 44 individuals and left 279 residents unaccounted for. The blaze began at 2:51 AM local time on Wednesday, prompting an extensive emergency response and subsequent criminal investigation.

Law enforcement authorities confirmed the arrests of three men, aged between 52 and 68, on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fatal incident. The suspects are reportedly directors and an engineering consultant from the construction company responsible for maintenance work at the complex.

Police investigators have suggested that the rapid spread of the fire, which was ultimately classified as a Level Five Alarm—the most severe category—may have been exacerbated by unsafe materials. Preliminary findings point to the presence of non-fire-resistant protective mesh, canvas, and highly flammable foam materials used during the renovation work.

Rescue and recovery operations are continuing in the multi-block high-rise estate as authorities work to locate the missing persons. The catastrophic fire, marking Hong Kong’s deadliest residential blaze in decades, has focused immediate attention on building safety protocols and regulatory oversight within the city’s construction sector.