On 26 November, a severe level‑five fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Early reports said at least 13 people died and 23 were injured. A 37‑year‑old fireman, Ho Wai‑ho, died while performing his duties. The government convened an inter‑departmental emergency meeting and activated emergency rescue measures to handle the disaster.

After news of the fire spread, the Tai Po District Office opened the Tai Po Community Centre and several community halls as temporary shelters. The Church of Christ in China Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School also opened its doors to house evacuated residents. The Hong Kong Red Cross sent its local emergency service team and volunteers to provide supplies and psychological support. Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital set up inter‑departmental assistance stations to help citizens.

Churches and Christian organisations in Tai Po quickly activated emergency services and, together with other community groups, are fully supporting residents affected by the fire. Christian & Missionary Alliance Tai Po Church, Ming Yan Centre Church, Hong Kong Chinese Christian Church Lai Wo Church, Christian Star of Love Church, Tai Po Baptist Church, Rhenish Church Tai Po Kam Fuk Church, and the Hong Kong Evangelical Church Yan Tsuen Neighbourhood Centre are among those providing community support. Breakthrough Counselling Centre has opened an emotional support hotline (2632 0777).

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong has opened the Wu Kai Sha Youth Village, providing 900 temporary accommodation places for residents in need, along with a 24‑hour support hotline (2898 7802) and an overnight outreach social‑worker number (2499 0766).

Prayers from Christian groups

Believers across the city are praying together. Churches and seminaries have released prayers for residents of Tai Po. Breakthrough posted a prayer on Facebook:

Merciful and compassionate Lord:

We join our hearts to pray for the residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. May the Lord have mercy and allow the fire to subside quickly. We ask You to be with every resident who has been affected, so that each precious life can be rescued by You. We pray that You will protect the firefighters, guiding them as they rescue people in danger so that they can lead residents out of the blaze without injury. Protect everyone trapped in the disaster, and remember their anxious families outside the scene – may the Lord’s gracious hand uphold them. Remember the neighbours throughout the community who are helping one another; may their kindness be used by the Lord to bring comfort to others. Comfort everyone who is watching the live broadcast and feeling pain; may Your peace draw near. We also ask the Lord to care for the young people affected by the disaster, so that their young lives will not be crushed and their tender hearts will be personally guarded by Jesus. May the families of these young people stay safe together with their children and have the ability and wisdom to walk in unity. We firmly believe that You are the Lord who saves and shows mercy, our ever‑present help in times of trouble. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

“The Lord will protect you from all disaster; He will guard your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7‑8).

Firefighting and rescue efforts

The Wang Fuk Court fire is the first five‑alarm fire in Hong Kong since the Cornwall Court fire in Mong Kok in 2008. The Fire Services Department deployed 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances and 767 firefighters to fight the blaze. According to reports, video footage showed scaffolding used for exterior wall repairs catching fire first; the flames were fierce and spread rapidly, with thick smoke and intense heat that made rescue operations extremely difficult.

The estate consists of eight residential towers, all undergoing major renovation. The fire spread along the scaffolding, affecting seven of the blocks. The estate houses more than 4,600 residents; it is estimated that more than 100 people were still inside when the fire occurred.

latest update

By the morning of 27 November the death toll had risen to 44, with 62 injured and 17 in critical condition, according to updated reports. Officials said 279 residents were still unaccounted for and nearly 900 people had taken shelter in community facilities. One of those who died was firefighter Ho Wai‑ho, who was among the first responders.