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Fiona Sun

A fatal blaze at a karaoke bar in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui that killed 17 people nearly 30 years ago has returned to the public eye after one of the suspects was arrested earlier this week.
Police on Thursday arrested Chan Wai-leung, now 52, after he was intercepted by mainland Chinese authorities across the border over his alleged role in the fire in January 1997, which also left 13 people injured at the time.
Chan’s apprehension means six of the seven people linked to the arson have been either arrested or sentenced so far.
The Post revisits the tragedy and its aftermath.
1. What happened at the karaoke bar in 1997?
The Top One karaoke bar was firebombed at around 4am on January 25, 1997. About 75 customers and 25 staff were inside the venue at the time.
Flames and smoke roared quickly up the stairs and through air-conditioning vents into a maze of tiny rooms, quickly overcoming staff and customers.
The dead were found lying in corridors and also small cubicles rented by customers celebrating birthdays or just the end of the working week.
Police at the time said many of the customers were unable to escape because they were intoxicated and were slow to respond as the blaze broke out.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and were seen using ladders to rescue men and women stranded on the roof as the flames and smoke engulfed the building’s lower levels.
The fire, which was eventually extinguished at 5.22am, claimed the lives of 17 people, aged 16 to 42, and left another 13 injured.

2. Who started the fire? And why?
Police identified a total of seven culprits and managed to arrest four of them a month after the blaze.
The trial of the four men accused of murdering the 17 victims began on May 19, 1998.
The court heard that the four firebombed the karaoke site to avenge a fight over “the teasing of a girl”.
The arson attack took place five days after a fight among Sun Yee On members prompted Top One bouncers to step in and beat up the patrons.
The next day, a group of Sun Yee On “brothers” was ordered to take revenge against the bar staff.
They approached the premises twice but were put off by a heavy police presence. The four accused then met at the Night Bird karaoke bar and decided to firebomb Top One.
3. What happened to the suspects?
Lee Ka-ho, a market worker; Tung Shing-fei, a driver; and unemployed Lau Ying-tat were eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Cheng Wai-shing, who was jobless, was found guilty of manslaughter and given 11 years in prison.
The three others, suspected Sun Yee On triad members Chan Wai-leung, Choi Kam-fai and Chan Fok-ching, remained at large for years.
Choi, the mastermind of the attack, was arrested by police in Shenzhen and handed to Hong Kong in December 2008. He was sentenced to life in prison in May 2010 after being found guilty of murder.
Chan Wai-leung’s arrest marks the latest development in the case. He briefly appeared at West Kowloon Court on Saturday, with the case adjourned to February 24 of next year.
4. Why did the fire at Top One spread so quickly?
A coroner’s inquest found Top One karaoke inspectors overlooked glaring breaches in fire safety equipment that should have been fixed.
These included an illegal system that cut off water supply to sprinklers if closed off by a valve, an alarm system that should have been installed to warn the building owners if the valve was closed, and an obstructed sprinkler valve.

The coroner had said the case exposed serious lapses that needed to be fixed and called on authorities to strengthen fire safety inspections through a body of trained civilian inspectors, in addition to the system of using contractors and fire officers.
Autopsies revealed all the victims had died of a deadly combination of smoke inhalation, toxic fumes and oxygen starvation.
5. What about other consequences?
The Provisional Urban Council ruled in September 1997 that all karaoke bars must be licensed by the two municipal councils, a move proposed after the Top One blaze.
Under the changes, all new karaoke premises must first have a licence. Those with restaurant licences must obtain additional written permission.
Clubs with karaoke facilities approved by the Home Affairs Department were also required to meet extra fire and building conditions.

6. How is life now at the site?
The space that Top One Karaoke once occupied has now been replaced by a number of restaurants, while surrounding businesses have all changed hands, including shops, eateries and even a long-standing sauna next door.
For many, the blaze has become a faded memory. But, for those who witnessed the fire nearly 30 years ago, the event still triggers painful memories, with some calling the latest arrest of a fugitive “justice” for the deceased.
“Back then, I felt a lot of sadness,” said security guard Chen Zhi-hao, who has been stationed at Wardley Centre on Prat Avenue since 1992.
“I knew some of the ladies who worked there, as they would sometimes come in and out of my building,” the 68-year-old said. “I found out later a few of them had died from the fire … I could hardly sleep for a while.”
7. Will the case be closed now?
No. Another fugitive, 47-year-old Chan Fok-ching, remains on the run.
Police are offering a HK$400,000 (US$51,400) reward for any information leading to his arrest.


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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong bar blaze: why a 1997 arson case that killed 17 is back in the spotlight

Police have arrested a sixth man linked to 27-year-old case. Photo: Handout

The space that Top One Karaoke once occupied has now been replaced by a number of restaurants. Photo: SCMP 

A coroner’s inquest found Top One karaoke inspectors overlooked glaring breaches in fire safety equipment. Photo: SCMP

Arrest over 1997 karaoke bar blaze in Hong Kong ‘justice’ for 17 victims who died, witness says

Security guard Chen Zhi-hao, now 68, has been stationed at Wardley Centre on Prat Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui since 1992, just opposite where the Top One Karaoke bar once stood. Photo: Nora Tam

At around 4am on January 25, 1997, at least two people firebombed the venue, killing 17 people, aged 16 to 42, and leaving another 13 injured. Photo: SCMP

“There were not a lot of visible flames, but the smoke was very thick and heavy. This burnt odour also lingered for quite a while,” says security guard Chen Zhi-hao. Photo: K. Y. CHENG

Hong Kong police arrest man over arson at karaoke bar in 1997 that killed 17 people

The suspect is taken to Prat Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui to reconstruct the crime. Photo: Handout

The fire at Top One Karaoke in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Handout

Chan Fok-ching, 47, is also wanted by police in connection with the arson attack. Photo: Handout

Firefighters inspect the charred husk of the bar after the fire. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

The Post revisits the tragedy after arrest of sixth man linked to firebombing of Top One karaoke bar renews interest in 27-year-old case


The Post revisits the tragedy after arrest of sixth man linked to firebombing of Top One karaoke bar renews interest in 27-year-old case.


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Explainer | Hong Kong bar blaze: why a 1997 arson case that killed 17 is back in the spotlight

The Post revisits the tragedy after arrest of sixth man linked to firebombing of Top One karaoke bar renews interest in 27-year-old case

1. What happened at the karaoke bar in 1997?