Tai Po housing estate fire in Hong KongCEFR A2
19 Dec 2025
Adapted from Kelly Yu, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Hayley Kee, Unsplash
On 26 November a large fire swept through the Tai Po housing estate in Hong Kong and destroyed most residential blocks. At least 160 people died and six remain missing. Ten of the dead were migrant domestic workers: nine from Indonesia and one from the Philippines.
Investigators say foam boards and substandard scaffolding nets used during a long renovation helped the fire spread quickly. Rescuers found some helpers still caring for their employers; one helper was later confirmed dead. Survivors said alarms failed and stairwells filled with smoke.
Humanitarian groups are assisting affected workers and the government announced about HKD 800,000 in total compensation per family.
Difficult words
- migrant — A person who moves to another country to workmigrant domestic workers
- scaffolding — A temporary metal or wood structure for building workscaffolding nets
- renovation — Work to repair or improve a building
- compensation — Money given to people for loss or damage
- survivor — A person who lives after a dangerous eventSurvivors
- estate — A group of homes in one areahousing estate
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could people help families who lost their homes in the fire?
- Why are alarms important in a building during a fire?
- What should builders do during a renovation to keep people safe?
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