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Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

The latest news and top stories on the Fire Services Department in Hong Kong. A prominent Hong Kong-based governmental body, the Fire Services Department (HKFSD) is dedicated to protecting life and property from fire and other calamities. Its main areas of focus include fire suppression and rescue services on land and sea, fire protection and prevention and emergency ambulance services. The HKFSD also advises the public on fire safety and enforces related regulations. Established in 1868, it is recognised as one of the world’s busiest fire brigades, committed to community safety and continuous operational improvement.

Rescue services were sent to Begonia Mansion in Taikoo Shing after multiple reports of a fire. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

16 taken to hospital after fire breaks out at Taikoo Shing flat

Blaze erupted at Begonia Mansion in Taikoo Shing’s Harbour View Gardens, with smoke pouring from flat.

9 Aug 2026 - 6:47PM

Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

16 taken to hospital after fire breaks out at Taikoo Shing flat

Blaze erupted at Begonia Mansion in Taikoo Shing’s Harbour View Gardens, with smoke pouring from flat.

Tai Po inquiry sheds more light on final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho

Paramedics to follow ‘rescue first’ rule if in doubt under new end-of-life law

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Tai Po fire inquiry must discharge its duty without fear or favour

After months of hearings, a greater test lies ahead as the judge-led committee confronts uncomfortable evidence.

‘Litany of failures’ blamed as Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire inquiry concludes

Months of hearings uncover chain of errors and missed warnings behind city’s deadliest blaze since 1948.

Tai Po fire: corrupt players exploited loopholes in regulations, inquiry hears

Committee’s lead counsel says on final day of hearings that Wang Fuk Court contractor and consultant deserve strongest condemnation.

Tai Po fire inquiry legal team calls for bamboo scaffolding to be phased out

Other recommendations outlined in 627 pages of closing submissions include legislative reform and measures to curb bid-rigging.

SCMP multimedia series traces causes, failures and human toll of Tai Po blaze

South China Morning Post infographics on Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades examine chain of events, systemic lapses and inquiry evidence.

Committee pushes reforms, thanks fire survivors as hearing ends – as it happened

Legal counsel for independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades delivers closing remarks at final public inquiry session.

Claim that fire alarms would not have saved lives in Tai Po blaze draws rebuke

Judge says comments by lawyer for director of China Status Development and Engineering are ‘hardly acceptable’.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | ‘No limits’ to accountability over Tai Po fire, security chief Chris Tang says

Secretary for security says committee investigating blaze will deliver results in a timely manner and commission of inquiry not needed.

Eternal ‘star’: asteroid named after firefighter killed in Hong Kong blaze

Hong Kong-born amateur astronomer William Yeung was recently granted approval to name asteroid ‘Howaiho’.

Helper injured, 2 cats die in Hong Kong fire linked to pet water dispenser

Investigators suspect blaze was triggered by electrical fault – such as a short circuit or overheating – linked to pet water dispenser or its charger.

Hong Kong unveils proposed overhaul of fire safety laws as consultation begins

Six months on from deadly Tai Po blaze, authorities launch consultation exercise on proposed amendments to Fire Services Ordinance.

Editorial | Hong Kong must not slip into complacency on fire safety

The city is right to extend its safety inspection regimes for old buildings, even as it moves to enforce stricter standards for cramped subdivided flats.

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

Fire services to be ‘gatekeepers’ for safety, Hong Kong security chief vows

Secretary for Security says responsibility for fire safety ultimately lies with Fire Services Department, amid fallout from Tai Po blaze.

Auditor takes aim at fire services over delayed safety hazard prosecutions

Fire services yet to launch prosecutions over 34 mini-storage premises that failed to follow safety hazard orders, with some first checked in 2016.

Changes to fire services law with tougher penalties set for public consultation

Security Bureau to submit amendments, including requirement fire alarms be checked every six months, to lawmakers early next month.

Departments must communicate better, fire chief tells Tai Po blaze hearing

But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung insists authorities have clear divisions of work for supervision of renovation projects.

Hong Kong fire services declined Tai Po alert over confusion fears, inquiry hears

System, which triggers high-pitched alarm on mobile phones, would have offered little help as it takes up to one hour to activate, officer says.

Tai Po fire probe: no emergency alert sent over fears of unpredictable responses

Judge David Lok urges distinction between firefighting and fire prevention, says officers at the scene had to make many difficult decisions.

‘Regulatory vacuum’: Hong Kong fire probe reveals confusion over safety roles

Testimony by fire services officials shows departments split over handling complaints on Wang Fuk Court renovations.

Hong Kong to scrap fax messaging between police and fire services for emergencies

Security chief Chris Tang says system to be digitised after Tai Po fire inquiry reveals use of fax for sharing emergency appeals gathered online.

Tai Po blaze: official defends refusing mainland Chinese firefighters’ help

Mainland counterparts may not have adapted to local environment nor communicated effectively, Hong Kong fire services officer says at hearing.

Firefighters prioritised tackling blaze over rescues, Tai Po probe hears

‘If you cannot put out the fire, how can you save those trapped inside?’ commander tells committee investigating Wang Fuk Court disaster.

Tai Po blaze: no fire risk checks done for HK$336 million estate renovation

Authorities did not pay special attention to fire hazards at residential estates undergoing large-scale maintenance before deadly fire, official says.

7 injured, 4 critically, in fire at Hong Kong recycling yard

Bright orange flames and thick black smoke seen at Tai Po site after blast.

Editorial | Tai Po fire inquiry must discharge its duty without fear or favour

Exclusive | ‘No limits’ to accountability over Tai Po fire, security chief Chris Tang says