A press briefing is held by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department in Hong Kong, south China, on Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Three men have been arrested for suspected manslaughter in a fire that broke out in Wang Fuk Court, a residential area in Tai Po of Hong Kong, on Wednesday afternoon, the Hong Kong Police Force said at a press briefing on Thursday.
The fire had left 44 people dead and 45 others injured by early Thursday morning, the police said.
Police investigation suggested that the protective nets, waterproof canvas and plastic cloth covering the buildings might fall short of fireproof standards. The police also found that polyurethane foam was used to seal windows of elevator lobbies in an unaffected building in the residential area, and pointed to the flammable material as a possible cause for the rapid spread of fire.
The three men were executives of a construction company responsible for installing these materials for the renovation of the buildings. The suspects aged between 52 and 68 include two company directors and a project consultant whose gross negligence was believed to have caused heavy casualties.
This photo shows a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
People walk past a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
This photo shows a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
This photo shows an interior view of a temporary shelter near a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
A man walks past a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Rescuers work at a residential area fire site in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
