A City in Silence: Hong Kong Begins Mourning After Worst Fire in 80 Years

Hong Kong stood still today. Officials gathered, heads bowed in silence, as the city began a three-day mourning period for the victims of the worst fire seen there in nearly eight decades.

As at now, 128 people have been confirmed dead. Seven high-rise blocks went up in flames, leaving behind devastation that numbers alone can’t fully describe. Eighty-three more are injured, about 150 still missing, and families are waiting for answers no one can yet give.

Authorities have already made arrests eight people allegedly tied to corruption involving ongoing renovation work, and three others earlier held on manslaughter charges. But the big questions remain. What caused this fire, and how did it move so quickly?

Officials say highly flammable materials placed on the building exteriors allowed the flames to race from block to block. The ceremony this morning was held outside government headquarters. City leader John Lee and other officials stood for three minutes, flags of Hong Kong and China flying at half-mast. Across the city, memorial points have now been set up for the public to lay flowers, sign condolence books, and grieve.

The fire tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, jumping rapidly across seven of the eight towers. It took over 2,000 firefighters nearly two days to finally control it. Much of the blame is being placed on polystyrene and plastic construction netting fixed to the buildings, along with bamboo scaffolding  a long-standing construction tradition in Hong Kong now under serious scrutiny.

Investigations are ongoing, evidence is being collected, and the anger in Hong Kong is real. Residents are demanding accountability. They’re talking about broken fire alarms, lack of safety oversight, and negligence from renovation contractors. Shockingly, fire alarms across all eight towers are reported to have failed to work properly during the incident.

Those arrested so far include directors of an engineering company and scaffolding subcontractors, according to the ICAC. Hong Kong’s Labour and Welfare Secretary also revealed that 16 inspections had been done on the estate since July last year.

Wang Fuk Court, built in 1983, was home to nearly 4,600 people. Today, it’s a scene of loss, questions, and sorrow and a city is waiting for justice.