Taipo fire kills at least 156 peopleCEFR A2
2 Dec 2025
Adapted from Oiwan Lam, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Falco Negenman, Unsplash
A major residential fire started in Taipo on November 26 and moved very fast. The building alarms rose to level five by 18:22. Social media livestreams showed flames climbing green plastic safety netting and burning debris blowing to nearby buildings.
Residents said foam plastic boards and blocked windows made escape and early warning difficult. Wang Fuk Court had a mandatory inspection order from 2016 and repair work began in July 2024 after a tender process. The chosen contractor had a HKD 330 million bid and some residents complained about the process.
After the blaze, authorities arrested about a dozen people and the government set up a fund that had raised HKD 1,600 million by December 1. Critics want a full independent inquiry into the causes and the repairs.
Difficult words
- residential — related to homes where people live
- livestreams — video shown online in real time
- mandatory — required by law or rules
- inspection — official check of a building or work
- tender — official offer process to choose work
- contractor — company or person who does building work
- bid — money amount offered for a contract
- inquiry — formal investigation to find the cause
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why might residents complain about the tender and repair process?
- Do you think an independent inquiry would help? Why or why not?
- If your building had blocked windows, what steps would you take to stay safe?
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