A Hong Kong nanny’s quick thinking and livestreaming during a devastating apartment fire likely saved lives,alerting residents to the danger when building alarms failed. The nanny, a live-in caregiver, broadcast her harrowing descent down 23 flights of stairs while together rescuing her employer’s baby from the blaze at the Wang Fuk Court complex.
The fire, which occurred on November 30, 2025, resulted in at least 146 fatalities and underscores critical questions about fire safety protocols in older residential buildings. The nanny’s social media broadcast bypassed malfunctioning alarm systems, providing crucial, real-time warnings to those inside. This incident highlights the growing role of citizen journalism and social media in emergency situations, offering a potentially vital dialog channel when traditional systems fail. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire and the alarm system malfunction.
