Authorities in Hong Kong have announced a formal investigation into a catastrophic fire that devastated multiple high-rise residential buildings in the Tai Po district, resulting in at least 128 confirmed deaths and dozens of injuries. The blaze, which broke out on November 25, 2025, rapidly spread through bamboo scaffolding and combustible netting around the buildings undergoing renovations, contributing to its deadly intensity.
Officials detained eight individuals on suspicion of corruption related to renovation work and three others on charges linked to manslaughter. The fire department mobilized over 2,300 firefighters to combat the inferno over several days, which became the deadliest residential fire in Hong Kong in over 70 years. Residents described the tragedy as horrific, with many trapped inside and fire alarms reportedly malfunctioning or disabled during construction work.
The investigation aims to determine the precise cause, with initial findings pointing to safety violations and the use of flammable materials on construction scaffolding. The aftermath has stirred public outcry over regulatory oversight and fire safety compliance in Hong Kong’s densely built urban environment.