For Paul Chow, the devastating images of the recent fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court apartment complex are haunting. The place he called home for over 30 years has been reduced to ashes in a catastrophic blaze that has claimed more than 150 lives and left many others unaccounted for. Chow expressed disbelief over the incident occurring in Hong Kong, stating, “When I see videos and photos of the fire, I thought maybe it was from a movie.”
Chow, who immigrated to Toronto three years ago, grew up in the expansive eight-block complex located in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. Observing the disaster from afar has felt surreal for him, akin to living through a nightmare. He conveyed his profound sadness and anger over the incident, stating, “I feel very depressed and very sad about the fire and the seven buildings. I also feel anger because I don’t feel like the government is going to be transparent.”
The fire broke out on November 27, 2025, and raged for two continuous days before it was fully extinguished on November 29. The flames were reportedly fueled by foam panels and bamboo scaffolding utilized for ongoing renovations. As of December 1, officials have confirmed over 150 fatalities, with at least 30 individuals still reported missing, making this the worst fire in the region in over a century.
More than a dozen people arrested
In the wake of this tragedy, Hong Kong's police and the city's anti-corruption body have arrested 14 individuals in connection with an extensive investigation into a multi-million-dollar renovation project. Those arrested include scaffolding subcontractors and executives from a construction company and consultancy, with many facing charges of manslaughter and gross negligence.
Andy Wong, president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, underscored the need for accountability, advocating for an independent inquiry into the events leading up to the fire. He emphasized, “We’re demanding that there be an independent inquiry into what happened, what went wrong, what system safeguards failed. That independent inquiry must have powers to raise a criminal investigation and really look into whether there are any criminal acts involved, including whether the officials were actually doing their jobs.”
Despite the devastation, Paul Chow feels a sense of relief that his family members, including his parents and younger sister, who reside in one of the towers, were not at home during the fire and are safe. In response to the tragedy, a local gathering to honor victims and unite the Hong Kong community is scheduled for Saturday at North York Memorial Community Hall, where participants will also advocate for an independent investigation into the disaster.
