HK fire disaster a tragedy on many levels

Since the fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, Hong Kong has been shaken by what is considered one of the most serious fire disasters in decades. As of December 2, it has resulted in 156 deaths, including a firefighter, and 30 people are still missing. All of Hong Kong is in grief.

Following claims first made by Chinese media, international outlets including The Guardian, AP and CNN have focused on the bamboo scaffolding, presenting the incident as an accident. This narrative, however, not only ignores Hong Kong’s construction context but also hides more serious issues in Hong Kong’s administration.

This fire was not an accident—it was a man-made tragedy caused by governance failings and the corner-cutting corporations behind the project. Moreover, the government’s response so far has shown just how much the city’s freedoms have been eroded.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but foam materials were likely a major factor in how quickly the blaze spread. Tests have also found that protective netting and tarpaulins on the buildings did not meet fire safety standards. Bamboo scaffolding was not the primary cause of the fire or its rapid spread.

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Problems with this building project were well-known long before 2025—the fire was the consequence, not the beginning of the mismanagement. In July 2024, Wang Fuk Court management demanded that its residents pay HK$330 million (about US$42 million) for renovation, requiring each household to pay HK$160,000 to HK$180,000 (about $20,000 to $23,000) within six months. This sudden financial burden pushed residents to speak out and protest, but their voices were quickly suppressed.

The huge renovation fee didn’t deliver a better or safer living environment for Wang Fuk Court’s residents. Rather, when they tried to escape and pressed the fire alarm during the blaze, the alarm system failed to work, according to press reports. Where all that renovation money went is now in question.

The Hong Kong fire recalls the Urumqi fire in 2022, which happened three years ago. The Urumqi fire caused 10 deaths and nine injuries, with some residents unable to escape because of Covid lockdown policies at the time.

A video posted online showed residents trapped inside crying “open the door,” revealing how the building was locked down under disease control restrictions. Fire trucks were also blocked by pandemic control barriers.

The government spokesperson later claimed that the tragedy was due to “some residents’ weak self-protection and self-rescue capability,” a statement that sparked the A4 Revolution — the largest social movement in China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising. However, the movement was quickly suppressed, participants were arrested, related news on Chinese social media was erased and even public memorials were prohibited.

Hong Kong is now following the same cycle—not solving the problems but targeting the people who speak out about them. Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong’s chief executive, has defended himself during the crisis, rejecting criticism of failings in light of his promise to lead Hong Kong “from chaos to order.” Although the tragedy is still wholly unresolved, Lee insists that the Legislative Council election must proceed on schedule.

Meanwhile, official statements about the disaster are becoming the only voice while people are being silenced. While Lee puts forth the official line, a civil society–led press conference was cancelled and a solicitor who was scheduled to speak was detained by national security police.

A university student, Miles Kwan, who drafted a petition demanding support for affected residents, establishment of an independent commission of inquiry, re-examination of the construction oversight system and accountability for government officials has also been arrested.

Volunteers have been evicted from the disaster site by the government’s so-called “Care Teams,” raising concerns of a whitewash. At least one volunteer has been detained merely for helping with relief work.

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All of this shows how much Hong Kong’s freedom of speech and assembly has eroded, as the government appears to fear both the truth about the disaster and the solidarity it has raised among the people.

Hongkongers have demonstrated their collective solidarity through mutual aid. And their bravery and compassion have been beyond reproach. One migrant domestic worker was found protecting her employer’s baby during the fire rather than escaping alone. Domestic workers in Hong Kong quickly returned to care for the building’s affected elderly and children.

Hongkongers around the world, many who fled the crackdown on dissent, are supporting each other. In Hong Kong, people spontaneously organized memorials, while overseas memorials were also held in cities such as Washington, Tokyo and Vancouver. A petition calling for an independent investigation that was taken down in Hong Kong has been reposted abroad and gathered over 11,000 signatures.

Hongkongers have once again demonstrated their solidarity and determination through action. This city is strong not because of its government but because of its people.

Lorraine Pan is a University of Toronto student and human rights activist.