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Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong fires and safety
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong fires and safety. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
ISS property officer Cheng Tsz-ying (centre) leaves the hearing on Thursday. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po blaze probe: property firm failed to identify, follow up on fire hazards

Senior staff of property management firm ISS EastPoint declined to testify, hearing also told.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Committee concludes first phase of Tai Po fire hearing - as it happened

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po probe: workers turned off fire safety system, disregarding regulations

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: estate manager questioned over fire alarm shutdown – as it happened

ISS EastPoint clerk also says authorised votes used in ballots deciding major issues at housing estate were never verified.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 more. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong housing

Editorial | For Hong Kong fire survivors, returning to destroyed flats offers closure

It is good that the authorities are being more accomodating with regard to the scheduled visits for former residents to retrieve their belongings and say goodbye.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po blaze hearing: property management worker unaware fire alarms deactivated

Clerk tells hearing she knew hose reel system had been shut down for months but did not know alarms would also be deactivated.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po probe: firm did not check fire systems since March 2025 – as it happened

Contract between Victory Fire and property management company ISS EastPoint stipulated that the safety system had to be inspected quarterly.

The catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 and displaced about 5,000 residents. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fire alarm, pump systems switched off before tragedy, Tai Po blaze panel told

Electrical worker Wong Kin-wa says Wang Fuk Court office staff told him the switches were shut off for water tank repair work.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire survivors mourn heroine who alerted neighbours to flames

Pak Shui-lin’s husband, Sdanni Yip, and neighbour Lam Yin-ming say heroine, who died during fire, ‘did not deserve to suffer such a fate’.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Authorities rule out smoking areas at construction sites under proposed ban

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui tells lawmakers that proposed smoking ban will apply to all areas of construction sites.

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The government is clamping down on smoking at construction sites following the Tai Po fire. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong eases rules for Wang Fuk Court residents retrieving belongings

Displaced residents of fire-hit blocks may be allowed repeated trips to flats after authorities soften stance on three-hour limit.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Officials had initially defended the 3-hour limit for residents to collect their belongings. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Time to confront the uncomfortable truths about the Tai Po fire

Only by facing the problems head on and reforming systems can we truly do justice to the victims and survivors and protect public safety.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Residents of fire-hit Wang Fuk Court blocks can retrieve belongings from mid-April

Residents from seven of estate’s eight blocks will be able to return on select dates based on which housing tower they lived in.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

2 bid-rigging syndicates ‘potentially linked’ to estate destroyed in Tai Po fire

Competition watchdog has not ruled out prospect that at least two syndicates linked to renovations at Wang Fuk Court, representative says.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong society

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.

The fire erupted at a site at the intersection of Ting Kok Road and Fung Yuen Road in Tai Po. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire hearing: government rejects assertions surveyors, contractor conspired

Authorities pledge full transparency in inquiry, pledging swift reviews and fair process without pre-empting conclusions.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Residents say there was no alarm as Tai Po blaze broke out - as it happened

One witness breaks into tears as she recounts the chaos of smoke entering her flat, mistaking it for renovation dust before escaping.

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Accidents and personal safety

2 women climb out of window to flee Hong Kong building fire that injured 3 others

Police say they were alerted at 5.28pm of blaze at Yen Dack Building on Chun Yeung Street in North Point.

Two residents escaped the fire by climbing down the block. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Residents of Tai Po blaze building misled over renovation project, inquiry told

Ties among companies bidding for work at Wang Fuk Court also suggest possible under-the-table relationships, independent committee hears.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Day 2 of Tai Po fire hearing sheds light on potential corruption – as it happened

Lead barrister for independent committee discusses potential corruption during tendering process, among other issues.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Deadly Tai Po fire revealed ‘unacceptable systemic failings’, inquiry hears

Six ‘human factors’ led to almost complete failure of fire safety measures at Wang Fuk Court, independent committee told at first session.

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Seven blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po were devastated by the fire in November. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Firefighter killed in Tai Po blaze may have entered wrong building, inquiry told

Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among the first firefighters to arrive at the scene of the inferno.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court quickly spread to seven buildings. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Public hearing outlines 6 key failures behind Tai Po fire – as it happened

Lead barrister Victor Dawes says messages show substandard scaffolding mesh was used by contractors, while a cigarette ‘most likely’ caused the blaze.

Crime in Hong Kong

Woman wanted over possible illegal fuel truck that went up in flames

Truck reduced to a charred wreck at a car park on Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

21 Wang Fuk Court homeowners, residents to give evidence in fire probe

Independent committee set up to investigate deadly fire publishes list of 37 ‘involved parties’ ahead of hearings to collect evidence.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Over 300 Wang Fuk Court homeowners to petition Hong Kong’s John Lee for meeting

Owners demand face-to-face session to address concerns over remaining renovation funds, outstanding fees and building safety.

The deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court residents in resettlement limbo slam ‘unhelpful’ engagement staff

Hongkongers displaced by Tai Po fire say they are frustrated with outreach officers’ failure to answer questions and explain rehousing options.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: Hong Kong Red Cross raises HK$530 million for affected residents

Charity says it has ended donation drive and vows no more than 5 per cent of funds will go towards administrative fees.

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