【Epoch Times, November 28, 2025】Yesterday (27th), a five-alarm fire broke out at Hong Kong Tai Po Wang Fuk Court has not been completely extinguished. On the morning of the 28th, the latest news reported 94 confirmed fatalities and over 200 people still missing. Our reporters interviewed several residents from yesterday until early morning today. Some residents emotionally recounted their escape experiences, while others are still anxiously waiting for news of their missing family members on-site.
Mr. Qiu, a resident of Wang Fuk Court, tearfully recalled the situation when he fled his home. He mentioned returning home around 2:45 pm, watching TV, and hearing firetrucks approaching shortly after 2:50 pm. Due to ongoing repairs and closed windows in the building, he initially underestimated the severity of the situation, only smelling slight smoke. It was a neighbor’s urgent warning that alerted him to the fire spreading on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors.
Mr. Qiu choked up as he stated he lived on the 21st floor of the third building. He mentioned encountering thick smoke in the stairwell during his escape and having to take the risk of using the elevator. Sadly, his home of over forty years turned to ashes, leaving him uncertain about the future.
He expressed concerns over safety issues during the major renovation work, citing workers smoking near scaffolding or on the ground. Despite warning them of the danger, he observed such unsafe practices regularly.
Another female resident, who received a call from her husband around 4 pm yesterday, described his strained voice asking her to hang up and assuring her of his well-being before their call disconnected abruptly. Desperately trying to reach him again without success, she sought help from the authorities in hopes of rescuing him.
Mr. Chen, residing on the top floor (31st), criticized the slow response of the rescue operations. He feared for the safety of his wife and aunt trapped on the higher levels, emphasizing the lack of clear communication on their status and whereabouts.
In the face of the chaos at the scene, residents were left to register their presence, with no updates on the rescue progress provided by the police and fire departments. Families resorted to piecing together fragmented information from the news.
The dire situation prompted concerns about a potentially higher casualty count, especially for the elderly or those with mobility issues unable to evacuate swiftly. Despite the uncertainty and mounting losses, families primarily sought assurance of their loved ones’ safety over material compensation.
With the fire engulfing multiple buildings, Mr. Leung witnessed the flames spreading rapidly, criticizing the inadequate firefighting measures and water sources in the vicinity. His account painted a picture of overwhelmed emergency services and distraught residents facing the escalating crisis.
Mr. Qiu and his wife rushed back from mainland China around 4 pm, only to find the situation severely escalated since the fire broke out around 2 pm. Regretting the lack of prompt aerial firefighting efforts during the critical early stages, he pondered the effectiveness of later rescue attempts.
As stories continue to emerge, reports of residents missing or trapped inside the buildings during the rescue operations reiterated the urgency and complexity of the ongoing emergency response efforts. Amidst the devastating losses and uncertainties, the community’s resilience and support shine through, with volunteers and emergency services working tirelessly to address the aftermath of the tragic incident.