Hong Kong: As the massive blaze that devastated the Wang Fuk Court residential complex continues to burn, shock and grief across Hong Kong are rapidly turning into anger. The inferno now the deadliest fire the city has seen in more than seven decades has brought renewed scrutiny to Hong Kong’s governance, its housing crisis, and even Beijing’s oversight of the city.
The fire tore through seven of the compound’s eight residential towers, home to nearly 4,800 residents. The official death toll is still climbing as rescue teams struggle to reach trapped survivors and identify the missing. Hundreds remain unaccounted for, intensifying the anguish of families waiting for news as plumes of smoke continue to rise from the wreckage.
While firefighters battle the still-burning structures and search teams comb through charred corridors, public outrage is mounting over how such a catastrophic tragedy could unfold. Many residents and activists argue that the incident reflects deep-rooted failures ranging from lax building oversight to systemic neglect in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
The disaster has reignited longstanding fears about Hong Kong’s housing model, where soaring property prices have forced millions into tightly packed apartment blocks. These high-rise clusters, often undergoing constant maintenance, can quickly become death traps when emergency situations strike.
At a press briefing on Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee announced the creation of a HK$300 million relief fund to support affected residents. He also revealed that officials were considering replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives, and contractors were ordered to produce documentation within seven days proving the use of fire-retardant materials.
But these assurances have done little to quell growing resentment. Many residents view the focus on bamboo scaffolding as a diversion from systemic failures. Much of the bamboo framework surrounding Wang Fuk Court remained visibly intact even as the fire raged, while its protective mesh had burned away. For many, blaming bamboo an iconic part of Hong Kong’s construction heritage feels both culturally insensitive and misleading.
According to former district councilor Michael Mo, who grew up in the Tai Po district where the complex is located, residents had long complained about the conduct of the contractor responsible for the building’s maintenance. An email shared last year on a residents’ forum purportedly from the Labour Department downplayed fire risks from the scaffolding, stating that regulations did not require flame-retardant standards for such structures.
These revelations have fueled accusations that authorities ignored early warning signs. On Thursday, police arrested three individuals linked to the maintenance company, while Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency announced a criminal investigation into the renovation project.
Major disasters in Hong Kong have historically been followed by transparent public inquiries led by independent judges. But with the judiciary widely perceived as compromised under Beijing’s tightened control, legal experts doubt a fully independent probe will be permitted.
Mo echoed this sentiment, saying the government avoided such inquiries even during the Covid-19 crisis. Launching one now, he argued, could expose serious administrative failures politically disastrous for the current leadership. Since the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, he added, Hong Kong lacks the checks and balances that once forced greater accountability.
Mainland China responded swiftly to the disaster. President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out effort” to contain the blaze and minimize casualties. Major Chinese corporations including BYD, Geely and Alibaba have pledged millions in aid, and the People’s Liberation Army signaled its readiness to assist.
However, the political implications are also becoming clear. John Lee suggested that the Legislative Council elections scheduled for 7 December may be postponed due to the tragedy. The last postponement in 2020 was widely seen as a move to sideline the pro-democracy camp, which has since been effectively dismantled through arrests, forced exile, and disqualification of candidates. This year’s election is already restricted to “patriots only,” eliminating any meaningful opposition presence.
The tragedy at Wang Fuk Court has become more than a catastrophic accident it has become a lens through which Hong Kong’s fraught political climate, governance failures, and social inequalities are being scrutinized. As the flames continue to smolder, so too does public anger, with many residents determined that this disaster cannot be allowed to fade without accountability.