How faulty fire barriers helped flames race up the Hong Kong tower

The deadly fire that swept through Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po on November 27, 2025, was exacerbated by faulty fire barriers and highly flammable materials used during ongoing renovations. The blaze, which began around 2:51 pm and rapidly spread across multiple 31-storey towers covered in bamboo scaffolding, green construction netting, and plastic sheets, resulted in at least 55 deaths, marking Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in over six decades. The bamboo scaffolding, combined with non-fireproof nets and Styrofoam-sealed windows, created a "chimney effect" that accelerated the fire’s upward and outward spread, allowing flames to leap between buildings in a rare and devastating manner. Investigations revealed that the renovation company responsible for the site used foam materials and tarpaulins that did not meet fire safety standards, with Styrofoam boards fixed to windows identified as particularly flammable. Police arrested three men, including two company directors and an