Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire Since 1948 Claims 55 Lives; Chinese Tech Giants Pledge Millions for Relief Amid Safety Concerns

Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire Claims 55 Lives; Chinese Firms Pledge Millions for Relief

A catastrophic residential fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has claimed at least 55 lives, making it the city's deadliest blaze since 1948. The tragedy, which erupted on November 27, 2025, at the sprawling Wang Fuk Court housing complex, has spurred a massive outpouring of support from Chinese private enterprises, collectively pledging tens of millions in relief funds.

The Inferno at Wang Fuk Court

The inferno, reportedly fueled by highly flammable construction materials, swept through four of the eight towers at Wang Fuk Court, a complex housing 4,600 residents across 2,000 apartments. Firefighters battled for nearly a full day to bring the blaze under control, with efforts ongoing in the remaining affected sections. The scale of the devastation has raised serious questions about Hong Kong's building safety standards, particularly concerning the use of bamboo scaffolding, protective netting, and foam insulation that may not meet fire safety regulations.

Corporate China Responds to Tragedy

In the wake of the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for immediate and comprehensive efforts to minimize casualties and provide all necessary support to those affected. This call was echoed by a swift and significant response from major Chinese tech and retail firms.

Leading the charge, Alibaba Group and its affiliate Ant Group jointly committed HK$30 million to the relief efforts. Alibaba founder Jack Ma, through his charity foundation, personally added another HK$30 million. Sportswear giant Anta, owner of brands like Jack Wolfskin, pledged HK$30 million in cash and equipment. Tencent Holdings, Xiaomi Corp, and ByteDance each contributed HK$10 million.

Key Corporate Donations:

• Alibaba Group: HK$20 million
• Ant Group: HK$10 million
• Jack Ma Charity Foundation: HK$30 million
• Anta Group: HK$30 million
• Tencent Holdings: HK$10 million
• Xiaomi Corp: HK$10 million
• ByteDance: HK$10 million
• Wens Foodstuff: HK$40 million
• Xtep Group: HK$20 million
• BYD: HK$10 million
• NetEase: HK$10 million
• Trip.com: HK$10 million
• Midea Group: HK$10 million
• Du Xiaoman: HK$10 million
• Lenovo: HK$10 million
• Xpeng: HK$5 million
• Fuguiniao Group: HK$5 million
• China Red Cross: 2 million yuan
• Be Friends Holdings: HK$1 million

Safety Concerns and Manslaughter Arrests

Beyond immediate relief, the tragedy has cast a harsh light on construction practices. Hong Kong police have arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of "manslaughter," citing the use of "grossly negligent" materials that are highly inflammable and do not meet fire standards. The blaze is believed to have originated in bamboo scaffolding, spreading rapidly through wooden poles and protective netting.

A Broader Trend of Philanthropy

This wave of corporate philanthropy also reflects a broader trend among Chinese entrepreneurs. In recent years, many have increased their charitable contributions, aligning with Beijing's push for social responsibility over profits amidst tighter regulatory scrutiny of the private sector. Prominent examples include Xiaomi co-founder Lei Jun, who has donated over 1.7 billion yuan since 2019 for technology development and student aid, and Meituan's Wang Xing, who contributed shares worth $2.3 billion to his foundation for education and scientific research.