A massive fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district killed a Filipina domestic worker, one of the deadliest blazes in the city's history. She died while caring for her employer's child, while another Filipina was injured after rescuing a baby. The incident has claimed 128 lives and left hundreds affected.
The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed the death of a Filipina domestic worker in a massive fire that swept through the Tai Po district on November 26, 2025. In a Facebook statement, the consulate did not disclose the victim's identity but noted that 'Far from her native home, she had made innumerable sacrifices to provide a better life for her family.' They extended condolences to her family and loved ones.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac visited the victim's family on the night of November 28 to convey President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s condolences and ensure full assistance. Cacdac spoke with the victim's 10-year-old son, who said he wants to become a firefighter so 'no one else dies in fires.' He added that the mother died while caring for her employer's five-year-old daughter.
Meanwhile, 79 Filipinos have been confirmed safe, while 12 remain under verification. Another Filipina, Rhodora Alcaraz, survived but is in critical yet stable condition after rescuing a three-month-old baby from the flames and smoke. A recent arrival in Hong Kong, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hailed her as a 'modern-day hero' and called for prayers for her recovery. Representatives from OWWA, the consulate, and DMW visited her in the hospital and contacted her family in the Philippines.
The fire's death toll stood at 128 as of November 28, with 44 bodies still unidentified, 150 people missing, and over 40 hospitalized, including 19 in critical condition. Authorities arrested 11 people in connection with the blaze. The fire started on protective netting and spread rapidly due to flammable foam boards, bamboo scaffolding, and malfunctioning alarms in all eight buildings. It is Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, leading to the temporary suspension of work on 30 private construction projects.