A deadly fire tore through Hong Kong’s high-rise Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, leaving at least 36 people dead and 279 missing. This fire disaster, one of the worst in 30 years, lasted more than ten hours as thick smoke and roaring flames engulfed the 32-storey buildings. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung Yan Kin revealed an 'unusual' boost to the fire: large amounts of styrofoam inside the buildings. He said this made the blaze aggressive and flames raced fast through corridors, setting multiple floors on fire. "Firefighters could only enter from the ground floor during rescue because many floors were still burning," Yeung explained. Security Secretary Chris Tang called the fire’s speed "suspicious." He said, "We have found that on the relevant building walls, the netting and waterproof tarpaulin material, once burned, showed spreading of the flames faster than [they should on] regulated materials. This is unusual." Police and fire officers are now investigating the fire thoroughly, including a criminal probe into these strange findings. At the peak of the rescue, a massive force of 888 firefighters fought the blaze. Yeung said they had enough manpower to handle the huge space and were moving floor by floor to put out remaining fires and find trapped residents. "We are making progress and hope we can clear each floor as soon as possible," he added. More than 900 people found shelter in temporary centers after watching the terrifying scene as scaffolding frames collapsed and black smoke filled the sky. Tragically, one firefighter died, and 29 injured survivors are in hospitals. Hong Kong’s leader John Lee said the priority was rescuing people, supporting the injured, and preparing for a full investigation. In a message from Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an "all out effort" to control the fire and reduce casualties, as reported by CCTV. Witnesses said they heard loud explosions just before the flames burst out, leaving many unsure if they would ever return home. The fire alarm levels rose quickly from No 1 to No 5—the highest danger level—in just a few hours. Videos from the scene showed bamboo scaffolding wrapped in green mesh completely aflame, with burning bits falling onto the streets below. This tragic fire raises urgent questions on the use of dangerous materials like styrofoam and tarpaulins that helped the fire spread so swiftly. Authorities promise to find answers and prevent such disasters in the future.