Hong Kong Tower Fire Kills 13, Hundreds Evacuated

Deadly Blaze Sweeps Through Housing Estate

At least 13 people were killed on Wednesday after a massive fire tore through several highrise blocks in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. The incident unfolded at the Wang Fuk public housing complex, where flames spread rapidly across multiple towers and left residents trapped inside their units as firefighters mounted an extensive rescue effort.

How the Fire Started and Spread

Officials said the blaze began mid-afternoon on exterior scaffolding attached to one of the buildings and then moved into residential floors. Strong winds carried the fire to neighbouring blocks, forcing the Fire Services Department to upgrade the alarm level to Level 5—the highest severity classification. The cause of the initial ignition remains under investigation.

Rescue Operations Under Extreme Conditions

Emergency crews reported dangerously high temperatures inside the buildings, along with falling scaffolding and debris that made entry hazardous. Firefighters deployed 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances as the blaze continued late into the evening. Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Armstrong Chan said conditions were so intense that advancing inside the towers was “extremely difficult.”

Casualties and Injuries Confirmed

Nine victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while four others died after being transported to hospital. At least 15 additional residents suffered injuries ranging from burns to smoke inhalation. Authorities also confirmed the death of a firefighter, while another was hospitalized with heat-related exhaustion.

Hundreds Forced to Flee Their Homes

Around 700 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters as the fire spread across the estate. Police said they received numerous calls from people who were unable to escape their units, many of whom were elderly. Videos circulating locally showed at least five towers engulfed simultaneously, with flames tearing through apartments as firefighters directed water streams from ladder trucks.

Impact on a Long-Standing Community

The Wang Fuk complex, built in 1983, comprises eight blocks with nearly 2,000 units housing approximately 4,800 people. Some residents described watching their homes burn with no ability to retrieve belongings. One man, identifying himself only as Wu, told local media the scene was “devastating to watch.”

Ongoing Investigation and Safety Concerns

Authorities have not determined the exact cause but noted that bamboo scaffolding—commonly used across Hong Kong construction sites—played a role in the fire’s rapid spread. The government previously announced plans to reduce reliance on bamboo scaffolding for public projects due to safety risks. Investigators are now examining how the fire jumped across multiple structures so quickly.

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Developer Proposes Landmark Project Near Historic Site

Brigil, a prominent Quebec-based real estate developer, has submitted a proposal to construct a 45-storey residential tower across from the Canadian Museum of History in central Gatineau. The project, if approved, would become the city’s tallest structure and reshape the downtown skyline.

Plan Faces Regulatory and Community Pushback

The development, proposed for 35 rue Laurier—the current site of a Four Points by Sheraton hotel—falls within a designated heritage district that includes the historic Notre-Dame-de-Grâce church. Gatineau’s existing urban plan restricts building heights in this area to 30 storeys, meaning Brigil’s proposal requires either a zoning amendment or case-specific exemptions.

Brigil made its pitch in February as part of the city’s ongoing review of its downtown development framework and has formally asked council for a decision by the end of August.

Project Touted as Housing and Tourism Boost

Gilles Desjardins, Brigil’s president, argues that the additional height would offer panoramic views of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, including over federal complexes like Terrasses de la Chaudière. He also proposes an observation deck atop the tower, aimed at attracting tourists.

The two-tower complex is expected to include 1,000 residential units, which Brigil positions as a contribution toward easing the region’s housing pressures.

Mayor Questions Project’s Relevance to Housing Crisis

Despite the added units, Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette expressed skepticism over the project’s alignment with community needs. In a news conference Wednesday, she noted the proposal emphasizes high-end condos rather than affordable or social housing.

“When it comes to condos that are more high end, we don’t have a crisis there,” she said. “We have a crisis for people on the street, for social and affordable housing.”

Community Groups React with Familiar Concerns

Local residents and advocacy organizations are raising alarms, echoing opposition voiced during Brigil’s previously rejected 2018 high-rise proposal in the same district. That earlier plan—featuring towers of 35 and 55 storeys—was denied after the area received heritage designation.

Daniel Cayley-Daoust, president of the l’Association des résidents de l’île de Hull, said the new proposal feels like a repeat of past tensions.

“It’s totally unacceptable to go beyond the urban planning [limits],” Cayley-Daoust told Radio-Canada, citing concerns over blocked sunlight and discord with the neighbourhood’s architectural character. “It’s all about quality of life.”

What Comes Next in the Approval Process

The city of Gatineau is currently deliberating whether to adjust its master urban plan or issue a specific exemption for the Brigil project. Either action could trigger a public referendum under current municipal rules. City council is expected to respond to Brigil’s request before the end of August.

Until then, the proposal remains a flashpoint in Gatineau’s broader debate over growth, housing priorities, and the preservation of civic heritage.

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