A catastrophic fire engulfed a residential building in Hong Kong's Tai Po area on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, claiming 13 lives and injuring at least 28 others. Authorities upgraded the fire alarm to Level 5 – the highest emergency classification – as flames and thick smoke rapidly spread through the structure.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Fire Services Department mobilized over 150 personnel and 50 fire engines to combat the blaze, which took nearly four hours to contain. Rescue teams conducted high-risk operations to evacuate residents trapped in upper floors, with some survivors requiring hospitalization for smoke inhalation.
This incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 2020, raising urgent questions about urban safety standards in densely populated areas. Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-kee announced an immediate review of fire safety protocols across residential buildings, particularly older structures in the city's northern districts.
