Viral Video Links Smoking Worker to Devastating Hong Kong Fire

New Delhi, November 28, 2025: A tragic fire that tore through a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong has become the subject of intense speculation after a viral video surfaced online. The clip, which allegedly shows a construction worker smoking on the external scaffolding moments before the blaze began, has raised immediate questions about the cause of the disaster. While the exact origin of the catastrophic fire is still being investigated by authorities, the footage has quickly fueled public suspicion.

Scaffold Blaze Leads to Tragedy

The massive fire, which started on the exterior of the residential complex in the Tai Po district, resulted in a significant loss of life and prompted one of Hong Kong’s largest rescue operations in decades. The blaze was observed rapidly engulfing the bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been erected around the buildings for renovation work. The highly flammable nature of the bamboo and the synthetic netting is widely believed to have contributed to the unusually swift and destructive spread of the flames.

Initial assessments indicated that the fire began on the external structure before spreading to the interiors of the residential towers. The search for survivors and the investigation into the cause have since been prioritized by the authorities.

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Smoking Worker Captured on Film

Amidst the official investigation, a video began circulating widely on social media, claiming to show a construction worker casually smoking on the scaffolding of the Wang Fuk Court complex just moments before the inferno broke out. The footage instantly led to suggestions that a discarded cigarette butt may have been the catalyst for the tragedy.

The video’s existence was acknowledged by reports from various media outlets, which cited an X (formerly Twitter) user who claimed the footage showed workers “casually smoking” while repairing the outer wall. This clip immediately generated public anger, as it presented a potentially preventable cause for a disaster that has claimed numerous lives. Reports have also indicated that local residents frequently complained about finding cigarette butts outside their sealed windows during the renovation period, suggesting that smoking by workers was a recurring issue.

Authorities Remain Cautious

While the viral video has strongly influenced public discourse, the Hong Kong authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the fire. A criminal investigation has been launched, and three individuals associated with the construction company overseeing the renovations—including two directors and an engineering consultant—have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Police have alleged “gross negligence” on the part of the construction firm, pointing to the use of substandard and highly flammable materials, such as polystyrene boards and nets that may not have met fire safety standards.

The government has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, with all potential causes, including the possibility of ignition by a cigarette, being considered. The focus remains on determining whether the construction company’s negligence, possibly including the failure to enforce a no-smoking policy near highly combustible materials, led to the deadly outbreak.