A massive blaze tore through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving hundreds unaccounted for in what officials say is the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Firefighters were still battling pockets of flames on Thursday morning at Wang Fuk Court, an eight-building estate in Tai Po with nearly 2,000 apartments, as exhausted residents looked on in shock.

The inferno began on bamboo scaffolding erected for estate-wide maintenance work and rapidly engulfed multiple 31-storey towers. Investigators say flammable foam materials left behind during repairs helped the fire spread “beyond control”. Police have arrested three men on suspicion of gross negligence and seized documents from related premises as part of the probe.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic. Many elderly residents, already immobile and living behind windows sealed for renovation, reportedly failed to realise the danger until neighbours phoned to warn them. Dense smoke, falling scaffolding, and intense heat hindered rescue efforts throughout the night. Fire crews said they were still unable to reach residents on some floors who had earlier pleaded for help.

Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact with his team and was later found with severe burns. Hospitals are treating 56 injured people, sixteen of whom remain in critical condition.

Chief Executive John Lee said more than 900 residents sought refuge in temporary shelters, and that authorities are still trying to verify the status of 279 people listed as unaccounted for, though some have since been contacted. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences, praising the bravery of first responders.

Residents surrounding the complex watched in grief as flames lit up the night sky, hoping desperately for news of missing neighbours. With adjacent blocks evacuated and roads closed, officials warned that the full extent of the tragedy may not be known for days.

A massive blaze tore through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving hundreds unaccounted for in what officials say is the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Firefighters were still battling pockets of flames on Thursday morning at Wang Fuk Court, an eight-building estate in Tai Po with nearly 2,000 apartments, as exhausted residents looked on in shock.

The inferno began on bamboo scaffolding erected for estate-wide maintenance work and rapidly engulfed multiple 31-storey towers. Investigators say flammable foam materials left behind during repairs helped the fire spread “beyond control”. Police have arrested three men on suspicion of gross negligence and seized documents from related premises as part of the probe.

Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic. Many elderly residents, already immobile and living behind windows sealed for renovation, reportedly failed to realise the danger until neighbours phoned to warn them. Dense smoke, falling scaffolding, and intense heat hindered rescue efforts throughout the night. Fire crews said they were still unable to reach residents on some floors who had earlier pleaded for help.

Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact with his team and was later found with severe burns. Hospitals are treating 56 injured people, sixteen of whom remain in critical condition.

Chief Executive John Lee said more than 900 residents sought refuge in temporary shelters, and that authorities are still trying to verify the status of 279 people listed as unaccounted for, though some have since been contacted. Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences, praising the bravery of first responders.

Residents surrounding the complex watched in grief as flames lit up the night sky, hoping desperately for news of missing neighbours. With adjacent blocks evacuated and roads closed, officials warned that the full extent of the tragedy may not be known for days.