Amid the towering flames that swept through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26—an incident now recognized as one of Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fires—a story of courage emerged from inside the smoke-filled corridors. While hundreds struggled to escape the fast-moving blaze, a newly arrived Filipina domestic worker made a choice that placed another life before her own.
Authorities earlier detailed how the fire rapidly engulfed seven high-rise towers undergoing renovation, with bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh accelerating the spread of heat and smoke. The disaster has left scores dead, dozens injured, and several families unaccounted for as investigators continue to examine the use of flammable construction materials and alleged lapses in safety supervision.
Inside one of those burning buildings was Rhodora Alcaraz, a Filipina who had only recently arrived in Hong Kong for work. As residents rushed to get out, she spotted a three-month-old baby caught in the chaos. Instead of heading for safety, she shielded the infant with her own body and pushed through the thick black smoke until the child was brought to rescuers. The baby survived.
Rhodora, however, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Medical staff say her condition is now stable, and she is responding well to treatment after suffering severe smoke inhalation.
Her act of bravery quickly reached Philippine authorities in Hong Kong. Representatives from OWWA Hong Kong, the Philippine Consulate General, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Migrant Workers Office went to the hospital to personally extend government support. In the Philippines, OWWA’s regional office immediately visited her family to check on their welfare and assist with urgent needs.
