At least five buildings situated near each other in the city's Tai Po district were shown on video from the scene to be ablaze, with flames exiting the windows of many of the apartments, CNN noted.

In a press conference held Wednesday evening, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Chou Wing Yin disclosed that 13 people have died and 15 people are injured. Nine individuals, including one firefighter, passed away at the scene of the blaze, while four people died after they arrived at a hospital, said the official cited by CNN. Two firefighters are among the 15 people hurt, with one suffering from a severe case of exhaustion and the other with a leg injury.

Efforts focus on extinguishing fire that engulfed bamboo scaffolding surrounding numerous buildings at the Wang Fuk Court estate, per CNN.

The Hong Kong housing complex affected by the fire is currently encircled by bamboo scaffolding, CNN's Karina Tsui reported. Bamboo scaffolding is widely seen throughout the city's dense, vertically oriented urban environment; these scaffolds, sometimes hundreds of feet high, are built on skyscrapers and wrapped in fabric safety nets, creating vivid green, blue, and purple cocoon-like structures, CNN mentioned. It is utilized not only for new building construction but also for the yearly renovation of thousands of high-rise structures and historic tenements ("tong lau").

Due to safety concerns, its usage is diminishing as the government has initiated efforts to replace it with metal scaffolding. The Hong Kong government's Development Bureau announced that 50% of new public building projects erected from March onward must utilize metal scaffolding to "better protect workers" and to align with contemporary construction standards observed in "advanced cities." According to Hong Kong's Labour Dep

Jerome Taylor of CNN noted that this fire is the city's worst in almost three decades. Seventeen people perished after a karaoke bar fire in 1997, and nine died in the Mong Kok district in a 2011 fire, CNN confirmed.

At least five other people sustained "critical" injuries in the large-scale blaze that trapped multiple residents inside the Wang Fuk Court housing estate. On Wednesday, intense flames spread across the exterior bamboo scaffolding, causing enormous plumes of dark smoke to billow high into the sky over the scene as the fire consumed a minimum of four apartment blocks.

Video: Massive fire in Hong Kong on November 26, 2025 / Reuters

A man, Wong, 71, reported his wife was stuck inside the Wang Fuk Court development during the huge blaze on November 26, 2025, as ABC News reported.

Police received numerous distress calls about trapped residents at the building where the blaze began, which included reports of a man and a woman unconscious and suffering from burns, South China Morning Post noted. Originally classified as a low-level No 1 alarm fire, the severity increased rapidly to No 4 by 3:34 p.m., before reaching the highest level, No 5, at 6:22 p.m. The rating system in Hong Kong designates higher numbers on the one-to-five scale for greater fire severity.

Images from the site revealed bamboo scaffolding outside several flats of the building entirely engulfed in the flames, reported the South China Morning Post. Sections of the green scaffolding mesh that were alight could be seen falling down towards the ground.

The immense scale and speed of the blaze at Wang Fuk Court, fueled by the external bamboo scaffolding, led to mass casualties and the tragic death of a responding firefighter, South China Morning Post reported.

Plumes of dark, large smoke rose high above the scene at Wang Fuk Court, as the fire spread to a minimum of four blocks within the estate. Police confirmed receiving various reports of people trapped, with a man and woman reported as unconscious due to burns, as the SCMP noted.

Eighty-three-year-old retiree Chan Kwong-tak, who lives in the community, reported that the fire alarms, despite being installed in the buildings, did not activate when the fire started that afternoon. Chan asserted, "If someone was sleeping then, they were done," stating residents had to flee independently. He further mentioned that prior grievances about construction quality and worker smoking to the management office were all ignored. Former district councilor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho told the Post that alarms failed even after residents smelled burning, stating residents were only alerted by a security guard knocking on doors, which provided minimal time for escape.

The Cornwall Court blaze in 2008 was the last time Hong Kong had a No 5 alarm fire. That incident, which started in a Mong Kok nightclub, killed four people, including two firefighters, and left 55 injured.

Watching the buildings burn from a park, Wang Tao Court resident Miss Wong and her son expressed frustration, questioning why firefighters had not used water bombs given the sea's proximity, especially as hundreds of people gathered nearby amid popping sounds from falling debris. Wong estimated that some residents remained trapped. Her son indicated that the exterior wall renovation, originally slated for a May completion, has been ongoing for more than a year. The family confirmed they did not see any smoking issues related to the project.

She and her son, long-time lower-floor residents, questioned the firefighters' lack of water bomb deployment to accelerate the operation, especially considering the proximity of the sea.

Her son also pointed out that the exterior wall renovation was now over a year late, having been scheduled for a May completion. The family confirmed they did not notice any smoking issues related to the work.

Wang Fuk Court experienced a major blaze this afternoon, and the flames moved to multiple buildings, starting when Wang Cheong House's external scaffolding ignited, then quickly spreading to nearby buildings such as Wang Tai House and Wang San House. One firefighter was tragically killed while attempting to extinguish the fire, which also caused four civilian deaths and three injuries by 5 p.m., according to Hong Kong 01.

The Fire Services Department used its official social media channel, "香港消防處 ("Hong Kong Fire Services Department") Facebook page, to provide an update, issuing a special notice), Hong Kong 01 noted. The notice stated the fire began at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, at 2:51 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26. It was upgraded to a three-alarm fire at 3:02 p.m. and further to a four-alarm fire at 3:34 p.m. Firefighters were actively engaged in suppression efforts, and nearby residents were advised to remain indoors, keep their doors and windows closed, maintain composure, and avoid the area affected by the emergency, Hong Kong 01 reported. The blaze was finally upgraded to a five-alarm status near 7 p.m. Wednesday night.

Members of the public expressed gratitude to the firefighters by posting messages on the department's public social media page. Comments were made saying: "辛苦各位消防員, 平安回家" (loosely translated: "thanks to all firefighters, return home safely"), "願所有消防員平安, 希望受傷人員得到最適切的救治, 儘快康復, 感恩有您們" (loosely translated: "may all firefighters be safe, hope the injured receive the best treatment, recover quickly, thankful for you all"), "辛苦每一位前線消防員和救護員們, 大家要平安, 萬事小心" (loosely translated: "thanks to all frontline firefighters and paramedics, everyone stay safe, be careful in all things"), "消防員加油, 照顧自身安全" (loosely translated: "firefighters keep up the good work, take care of your own safety"), and "願大家一定要小心, 平平安安, 齊齊整整. 辛苦哂" (loosely translated: "may everyone be careful, safe, and sound. thank you for your hard work"), and also, "消防員要平安" (loosely translated: "firefighters be safe").

The public conveyed sympathy for the families of the deceased rescue worker, urging first responders to ensure their own safety while performing their duties, Hong Kong 01 said. One comment acknowledged the challenge the crew faced, stating, "雖然傳出不幸嘅消息, 你們仍帶著傷痛嘅心情, 勇敢上前線幫忙救火, 實在令人敬佩" (loosely translated: "although unfortunate news was heard, you are still carrying the pain and bravely stepping forward to help fight the fire, truly admirable")

. Further comments included: "辛苦曬, 消防員" (loosely translated: "thanks to all firefighters"), "辛苦消防員, 救人重要, 也要注意自身安全" (loosely translated: "thanks to firefighters, saving people is important, also pay attention to your own safety"), "為受傷職員送上祝福, 早日康復, 逝去者家屬節哀順變" (loosely translated: "send blessings to the injured staff, recover quickly, condolences to the family of the deceased"), "消防員, 一定先保護好自己, 大家平安收工" (loosely translated: "firefighters, you must first protect yourselves, everyone return home safely after work"), and "消防英雄萬事小心, 要安全返屋企!" (loosely translated: "fire heroes be careful in all things, return home safely!").

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Video: Massive fire in Hong Kong on November 26, 2025 / Reuters

A man, Wong 71, reported his wife was stuck inside the Wang Fuk Court development during the huge blaze on November 26, 2025, as ABC News reported.

The Hong Kong government issued a statement clarifying that the conflagration began at Wang Fuk Court at 2:51 p.m. local time, escalating to "No. 3 alarm at 3.02 p.m., and to No. 4 alarm at 3.34 p.m.," in its severity.

Officials confirmed that four lives were lost, while one person was categorized as "stable" and two people were listed in a "critical" state due to their injuries, ABC News stated.

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The names of the fallen soldiers, four fighters from the Netzach Yehuda Battalion and one fighter from the Northern Brigade, were cleared for publication: Staff sergeant Meir Shimon Amar, 20, from Jerusalem; Sergeant Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff Sergeant Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, from Jerusalem; Staff sergeant Moshe Shmuel Noll; and Sergeant First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin , 28, from Haifa. Fourteen additional fighters were wounded in the incident – two seriously, six moderately and six lightly. They were evacuated to hospitals and their families were notified.

Incident details

The fighters were struck when their unit was carrying out an offensive operation in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers were ambushed by an array of improvised explosive devices while operating in the area, and Northern Brigade forces were rushed to evacuate the wounded from the field. During the evacuation attempt, fire was opened toward the forces, wounding some of the fighters. The IDF continues to investigate the details of the incident.

The Netzach Yehuda battalion, which is a special unit that is tailored for the needs of religious conscripts, stated, "With a broken and tearful heart, we join in the mourning of the families over the death of their sons, brave fighters who risked their lives and sanctified God's name for the People of Israel. The Netzach Yehuda Battalion entered the maneuver a few days ago for another round in a battalion combat team to fight in northern Gaza Strip."

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The documents, with many sections still redacted, were released for publication on Monday by the Defense Ministry's IDF Archives. The declassified sections reveal details about plans for an attack that would be lethal and change the rules of the game.

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In one section, then-IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. David (Dado) Elazar tells then-Maj. Gen. Rehavam Zeevi, "I have two moves. The first is to destroy Syria. There will be an outcry from the world [redacted], but as a first step, let's break one."

Zeevi responds: "Whatever hurts."

Most of what Elazar said next is still redacted, but two words have been authorized for publication: "4 cities," a hint at the targets of the attack.

Elazar said, "I want a dramatic turning point. I want someone to cry, 'Gevald!' Peoples are being wiped out, hold your fire, we'll all cease fire. We're in a catastrophe. If what I said is dramatic and stops the shooting – fine. It [will] stop Syria."

Documentation of a different discussion reveals a bit more while still concealing much of what took place in those early chaotic days.

Then-deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Israel (Talik) Tal, discusses bombing Damascus: "I know that we haven't agreed finally, it's too serious and fateful a matter either way. I don't accept the assumption about the effects that would break the enemy. That is to say, if I were 100% certain [redacted], I would say, 'Let's go.' It's possible this might not solve anything, and our situation would be a million times worse. I'm not sure that bombing Damascus will give us a ceasefire than not [bombing] Damascus."

In the same meeting, Tal suggests that Israel retreat from part of the Sinai Desert to concentrate its efforts on the northern front and in battles to check Syria.

"My operative proposal is to hold the Golan Heights steady with the ground forces and use the air force to help thwart [the Syrians]. Not desperate assistance, well-considered assistance in bad circumstances. In Egypt we need to fight wisely to hold them off," he says.

"I'm not saying it's impossible there, and [we could] use the air force to destroy tanks in those areas so that we could have a lot of forces here. We aren't using armor properly here, because we're doing things under pressure," Tal says.

One of the better-known quotes from the Yom Kippur War was uttered by then-Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, who voiced concern about the possible "destruction of the Third Temple [meaning the state of Israel]." The newly-declassified transcripts show just how pessimistic Dayan was.

On Oct. 7, 1973, 24 hours after the war broke out, Dayan is recorded saying, "What am I afraid of more than anything, in my heart? That the state of Israel will eventually be left without enough weapons to defend itself. It doesn't matter where the line is, there won't be enough tanks or planes and not enough people or well-enough trained people to defend the Land of Israel. In the end, no one will fight this war for us, and all the Arabs will swoop down on us from all sides. I want to tell that to Golda [Meir]."

That same day, the generals spoke among themselves. "At [the airport] Sde Dov, Moshe was talking to me about losing the Third Temple. He was very hoarse, it was painful to hear him. He was talking about a battle for the Land of Israel," Zeevi says.

Elazar replies that Dayan was in no way exaggerating: "This, friends, this is truly a battle for the Land of Israel."

Zeevi goes on to say that he believes that the southern Golan Heights had already fallen: "Maybe I'm being subjective because he [Dan Lener, a division commander] … told me this morning that the fighting in the southern Golan was over, and we lost."

In yet another discussion, Dayan does not keep the seriousness of the situation a secret.

"Anyone who still hasn't gotten a shock will get it now. We're at the number of tanks we had in the [1967] Six-Day War. This Hermon cost us 70 men once and 30 casualties and 70 wounded a second time, and that will destroy the people's morale … This is terrible, we need to make sure they're out of there and attack, and whoever is killed is killed…"

'If Jordan comes in, we're lost'

The senior commanders spend much time discussing what tactics can be employed to stop the advancing Syrians and Egyptians.

"Our situation is bad, very bad," Elazar says in a talk with his deputy. "I've said repeatedly [about] Moshe [Dayan's] option of starting to fold and withdraw – we can always do that. My plan is to try and break [them], at one point and possibly two. That might work, or it might not."

"Jordan is just about to come in. If we [redacted] Damascus, who knows what will happen if Jordan joins [the war]. If Jordan does, then we're lost. That's Jerusalem, 30 km, 400 tanks. Then the air force in Amman, another push by the air force [redacted] ... In Damascus economic targets go immediately, and if the air force goes to those divisions we'll see what happens," the chief of staff says.

Elazar orders then-GOC Northern Command Yitzhak Hofi: "You don't move from the ceasefire line. What will be will be, and I don't intend for us to retreat from there. We won't retreat. I'm coming up with a proposal to do all sorts of things in Syria that you were talking about yesterday because we're approaching a situation in which we must break Syria soon. I want Syria to want a ceasefire today."

'Call up children and the elderly'

On Oct. 9, two days into the fighting in the Gaza Strip, the General Staff already knew how grim things were. Dayan had made it clear to the generals that the Golan Heights must be defended "to the last man."

"If we need to switch the GOC to do that, we need to decide whether we will or not. This needs to be an order. We will bring in the armored forces, but we'll do so to finish off the Syrians' tanks. No matter what, there will be no retreat from that line. Not a single centimeter," Dayan says.

Dayan also makes unprecedented proposals to meet the lack of manpower caused by the many casualties and injured. "We need to look into the possibility of conscripting all those we release when the young people and reserves were enlisted – bring them into the tanks, the air, whatever is needed. We'll get tanks, and there won't be people. Take the older people we've released, and take the younger ones who haven't enlisted, from age 17. We need to … look into the feasibility of enlisting Jews from all over the world – Americans, British, South Africans, anyone who wants to. And if any of them have [military] professions – pilots, tank drivers."

Dayan has harsh criticism for the government and then-Prime Minister Golda Meir and suggests alternatives that she had not approved.

"The government has a different approach and a different spirit. I will have an obligation to you, to ourselves, to the army and to the people to say what I think needs to be done and we haven't done…. When I told Golda she was in shock – first, they don't know the facts, and second, some of them don't understand the facts and the military interpretation of the situation," he says.

Worry that mothers might 'invade' battlefield cemeteries

The senior commanders were dealing not only with immense difficulties on the battlefield, but with the need to keep the homefront from collapse. At one point, Elazar talks with the commander of the IDF Manpower Division Maj. Gen. Herzl Shafir how best to deal with the hundreds of casualties who had been given hasty battlefield burials, and that some of them were unidentified.

"I'm not telling the families of the casualties until Sunday … after that, we need to consider it," Shafir tells Elazar.

"We need to understand that we are burying everyone in temporary graves. There are no funerals. The problem we will face is how to tell the families. They'll want to come see the cemeteries, and we can arrange that," Shafir points out.

Elazar answers: "If we don't notify [them], we'll be invaded by mothers. They'll start walking around and looking at signs for names. Before you do anything, post a guard so they won't get in there."

A conversation between Elazar, Tal, and then-IDF Spokesman Col. Pinchas Lahav deals with how to present the difficult situation in the north and the south, especially given the plans to bomb Damascus.

Lahav says, "We wanted a scare reaction and to create a picture … we can hold off on that."

Tal responds: "Clear skies … and Arabs screaming as Damascus is bombed. It's no good for getting us Phantoms [referring to the air convoy from the US to Israel in which aircraft and weapons were being transferred]."

Lahav suggests framing what was taking place to avoid dramatic headlines: "Not lie about the facts, but we can lie in technique."

Elazar then asks Lahav if he had been too optimistic a day prior to the discussion, and Lahav answers in the affirmative: "Yes, I told you to be optimistic, because I think that if we make it out of this, the people of Israel will forgive you. The spokesman is a weapon. The defense minister, with all due respect, is rigid in his thinking."

Lahav was to be mistaken – after the war, Elazar was the target of extensive criticism for his handling of it as chief of staff.

Some of the transcripts deal with the internecine battles between the generals themselves. Elazar attacks how then-Mag. Gen. Ariel Sharon [who would go on to become prime minister] was handing the southern front, saying his tactics approached the level of a "war crime."

"I didn't say anything … as an order and today he, against orders, went all the way to the water, fought a major battle against orders, lied to [GOC Southern Command Shmuel] Gorodish [Gonen], and when I listen to him on the radio, I see he's lying to me. And now he wants permission to cross to the other side."

In still another conversation, one of the most sensitive of the war, Elazar informs Gorodish that he is to be replaced by former Chief of Staff Haim Bar-Lev.

"Worse solutions for you could have been found. This is a test of how much you trust me, that I'm trying to find a solution that is least harmful to you. You will remain GOC Southern Command, and Haim Bar-Lev will come down and be at your side. If you accept it with good grace, it will be an excellent solution," Elazar encourages him.

"You need to take it well, Shmulik. When we're down or when the war is over, you'll understand. There are [different] dimensions to this war. Shmulik, I want you to accept it. Trust me, that I'm doing my best for everyone in the circumstances. Take it in good spirit, but he is the commander and you'll work with him as such."

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"I commit myself to continue the work to bring back our MIAs and our prisoners of war, just as we did with Zachary Baumel," the prime minister declared, addressing an audience of high-level officials and bereaved relatives ahead of the start of Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.

Baumel's body was returned to Israel last month in a Russian-assisted operation nearly four decades after he was declared missing during the First Lebanon War in 1982.

"In this way, the State of Israel kept its promise to every mother and father in Israel, the obligation to bring home the men and women who did not return from battle," Rivlin said, also pointing to the return of Baumel speaking at the official state ceremony, minutes after the moments silence for the fallen soldiers.

"This is a commitment that we continue to make to the families of every one of the missing soldiers of the IDF and those fallen soldiers whose place of burial is unknown," the president continued.

"We will not cease until they have all been brought back," he ended.

As the state ceremony was taking place, simultaneous candle-lighting ceremonies were held in schools and public institutions across Israel.

"Today we are bending our heads and paying respects to 23,741 fallen dead in the battles of Israel: Jews, Druze, Muslims, Christians, [and] Bedouin," Netanyahu continued.

"To them we add the thousands of victims of hostilities including four innocent civilians killed at the beginning of this week because of the rocket of the terrorists from Gaza," he said, referring to a recent spike in violence that saw over 650 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory over a period of two days.

"Their memory is etched in our soul, due to them our state can exist, without them where would we have been today."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi praised the courage demonstrated by Israeli soldiers and said that the army was doing "everything" in its capability "to prevent future casualties."

"There is no consolation, but there is meaning," he said.

"Seventy-five years ago we were dust on the face of the earth, today we are rising global power and since the beginning of the revival in our own land every generation stands against our enemies," Netanyahu said, encouraging those who a grieving to find solace "in what we do have."

"We do not wish for war but the willingness to sacrifice is the guarantee to our fate," he ended.

This article was originally published by i24NEWS. Read more at https://www.i24news.tv/en.

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"This was a really hard Shabbat," says Devorah Harush, who lives on the same street as the late Moshe Agadi, a 58-year-old father of four, who was killed early Sunday morning.

"We can't remember it ever being this bad, both in terms of the intensity and the number of rockets being fired at us. I'm not ashamed to say, I voted for [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, and I'm really disappointed that we've lost our military deterrence against Hamas and the rest of the terrorist organizations," Harush said.

"I'm aware of the fact that we have the Eurovision coming up and it's just before Remembrance Day and Independence Day, and at a time like this, it's better for the Israeli people to mourn quietly and celebrate the country's independence. But there's a limit to what we can endure in the name of the days that are just about here," she said.

"Enough – we're sick of this terrorism, all these sirens and booms. We're sick of the fear and the explosions and the children experiencing one trauma after another. If they need to, they should start a military operation and deal them a fatal blow," Harush said.

On Sunday, the third day of heavy rocket fire, Ashkelon residents seemed mostly stunned. The streets were virtually empty, and anyone who had to be out conducted their business quickly so as not be caught exposed if there was another rocket barrage.

"I'm not ashamed to admit it – I'm scared," said Zion Dabush, 71.

"On a day like today, I wouldn't leave the house. It's better to stay someplace safe, but I had to go to the doctor. So I'm getting it done as quickly as possible, and going back home.

"True, Agadi was killed when he was at home, but you need to be really careful on a day like today. You really need to follow the instructions of the IDF Homefront Command, and not play Russian roulette with your life. The murderers from Gaza are godless. They'll murder children and old people, and as I said, I'd rather be at home, near my safe room. That's where I feel safest," Dabush said.

Katya, a 17-year-old high school student, said, "What a sad day for Ashkelon. Look how sad everyone is. It's not easy to lose someone from the city, someone we knew and only did good in the world. He's the one who had to die because of a rocket? I work as a waitress in a café in town, and I know that it will be empty today because no one is in the mood to go out and enjoy themselves."

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