Deadly Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Leaves 200 Dead or Missing — Japan Faces Similar Risks?

Seven 32-story towers burned down

From the cluster of high-rise apartments exceeding 30 floors, massive black smoke rose. The rooms were charred black, and the surrounding area was thrown into chaos as people scrambled to escape.

On November 26, a fire broke out in a high-rise apartment in Tai Po District, Hong Kong. The fire spread over two days, destroying seven buildings in total. As of December 3, 156 people had died, and about 30 were still missing.

Why did the damage escalate to what is being called “the worst in Hong Kong’s history”? Takao Sakaguchi, director of the Citizens’ Disaster Prevention Research Institute, analyzed as follows:

“The use of flammable bamboo scaffolding for exterior repairs was a major factor. If metal scaffolding had been used, the fire wouldn’t have spread so extensively. In addition, the polystyrene sheets attached to windows during construction allowed the fire to spread indoors. Fire alarms also failed to function properly, causing many people to be trapped and fall victim to the blaze.”

Meanwhile, apartment management consultant Teruyuki Tsuchiya pointed out less-reported factors:

“The apartment was located by the sea, and it was quite windy that day. The strong wind penetrated the gaps between the scaffolding and the building, creating an updraft known as the chimney effect. This carried the flames rapidly to upper floors and neighboring towers.”

Since the 1980s, high-rise apartments have been constructed one after another in Japan, and recently the issue of aging buildings has become a concern. Could a fire like this occur in Japan?

“The risk of a large-scale fire in Japanese high-rise apartments is low. Flammable materials are not used in scaffolding during repairs, and polystyrene is not attached to windows. Moreover, for units above the 11th floor, fire hoses and nozzles are installed on each floor, making full-scale firefighting possible even at higher levels.”

However, complacency is not advised. According to fire statistics released by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, from January to June 2025, there were 2,048 fires in apartment buildings—an increase compared to the previous year. While households using gas stoves have decreased, fires caused by electrical malfunctions are on the rise. In January this year, a fire occurred in a high-rise apartment in Osaka Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of a resident couple.

Sakaguchi adds, “Fires in apartment buildings have been increasing significantly in recent years. Flammable items like old magazines on balconies can allow flames to spread. If objects are left near emergency staircases, they can delay evacuation and pose a deadly risk. It’s essential to inspect your apartment’s fire safety equipment in advance.”

Apartment fires are on the rise in Japan as well, and residents must be prepared.

—From “FRIDAY”, December 19–26, 2025 combined issue