The sun had barely set over Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po when chaos erupted. At about 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, residents saw smoke billowing from one tower — and within minutes, what started as a small fire turned into a nightmare. Flames raced up bamboo scaffolding, lapped at windows, and then burst into apartments. By nightfall, seven of the estate’s eight towers were engulfed. The disaster is already among the worst Hong Kong has ever seen.

As firefighting crews scrambled to control the blaze, horrifying numbers began to emerge. Authorities confirmed at least 36 people are dead, and 279 more remain missing, with fears rising that many did not escape. Medical staff reported dozens more hospitalized, several in critical condition.

Among the missing is a relative of Robert Irwin — a cruel twist that has turned a catastrophic public tragedy into a deeply personal heartbreak for yet another family.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror: thick black smoke pouring out of windows, residents clutching children and elderly relatives, many trapped inside as ladders and hoses fought futilely against the blaze. Some survivors recounted the fire spreading so rapidly, they barely had time to grab loved ones before racing down smoke‑filled stairwells. Flames leapt floor after floor, fed by highly flammable bamboo scaffolding and plastic netting left around the buildings for exterior renovations.

Fire crews deployed hundreds of units — over 128 fire engines and nearly 800 firefighters were combating the inferno. Still, the blaze reached the highest possible emergency classification, a “level‑5 alarm,” a level not declared in the city for nearly two decades.

By early Thursday, rescue operations had shifted from hope to grim recovery. Many buildings remain unstable, with debris, collapsed scaffolding, and risk of structural collapse continuing to plague efforts. Temporary shelters have opened for displaced residents, as frantic families scour hospital lists, waiting rooms, and morgues for any sign of loved ones.

Authorities have already arrested three men — two construction‑company directors and an engineering consultant — on suspicion of manslaughter, as investigators look into potential negligence and use of unsafe, flammable materials that may have helped the fire spread so fast.

For the people of Tai Po — and beyond — the tragedy raises painful questions about safety standards, aging infrastructure, and responsibility. Some wonder why bamboo scaffolding and cheap netting were still allowed in renovations, when fire risks were known. Others fear many of the missing will eventually be declared dead.

For the families of the departed, there will be no ordinary Christmas this year. For the missing — and those desperately hoping for their return — each hour brings fresh anguish. And for a grieving city, this horror may force a hard reckoning.