Difficult to say if fire-ravaged Hong Kong buildings can be fixed: experts
Government should take lead in assessing structural safety of Wang Fuk Court buildings to help flat owners decide, experts say
The government should take the lead in assessing the structural safety of the estate engulfed by Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades before deciding whether it should be restored or redeveloped, experts have said, warning of liability problems and a long road ahead.
The future of Wang Fuk Court, where a massive fire raged through seven of its eight blocks for more than 43 hours before largely being put out, remains uncertain, with residents taking shelter or moving into temporary housing arranged by the authorities.
Specialists the Post talked to said either restoration or tearing down for redevelopment would be complicated.
“I believe the government should offer help in offering an assessment of the structural safety of the buildings … to offer flat owners a reliable and professional assessment on the building safety, the level of damage and to decide on whether the buildings are fit for renovation,” said Vincent Ho Kui-yip, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Building Safety.
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While buildings’ structural safety could not be assessed at this point, Ho said he expected that the floor slabs of some flats could have been severely damaged by the prolonged fire.