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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.
A Wang Shing House resident surnamed Ho says she is disappointed by the decision. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Survivors fear scrutiny gaps as Hong Kong fire probe declines statutory powers

Committee chairman Justice David Lok says move would delay investigation and render panel unable to deliver final report on time.

Accidents and personal safety

Driver escapes as Ferrari catches fire near Hong Kong light rail stop

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire hearing rules out need for statutory powers – as it happened

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

District councillor linked to Tai Po fire resigns as adviser to second estate

Peggy Wong’s decision to step down from advisory role at Plover Cove Garden followed petition by several homeowners.

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District councillor Peggy Wong leaves a meeting in January. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong courts

7 people, 2 firms face manslaughter, other charges over deadly Hong Kong fire

7 held roles in Wang Fuk Court’s renovation, with charges also filed against consultant Will Power Architects and contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering.

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Hong Kong economy

Union warns low civil servant pay rise after Tai Po fire would ‘bow to populism’

Unions argue that an across-the-board pay rise of 2 per cent will not offset inflation or reflect overall performance.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Help for 40 estates that hired Tai Po fire-linked consultant for projects

Urban Renewal Authority says the 40 housing estates have an urgent need to clarify completed yet unpaid work costs.

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The Urban Renewal Authority. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘All reasonable steps’ for site smoking ban include CCTV, cigarette storage

Smoking is set to be prohibited at all construction sites following deadly Tai Po blaze.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong tribunal rejects request to postpone Wang Fuk Court owners’ meeting

Lands Tribunal says it lacks power to extend statutory deadlines, urges government-appointed administrator to convene meeting immediately.

Accidents and personal safety

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.

Firefighters try to revive the cats. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Opinion | On fire safety, Hong Kong needs a mindset change

The hearings of the committee looking into the Tai Po fire and the Fire Services Department’s inspections show there is much room for improvement.

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An aerial view of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on May 26. Photo: Elson Li
Accidents and personal safety

1 dead, 2 in critical condition after fire at luxury Hong Kong flat

Police investigate suspicious fire that killed 30-year-old woman after drug paraphernalia found in master bedroom.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong cuts emergency mobile alert activation time from 1 hour to 15 minutes

Alerts can also be tailored to specific districts under upgraded Emergency Alert System, security chief says.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hearing results key to compensation for Wang Fuk Court residents: experts

Legal and insurance experts say sale of flats to government won’t affect residents’ rights to claims but they must prove negligence had caused losses.

Seven of Wang Fuk Court’s eight blocks were destroyed in the catastrophic fire last November. The government has offered to buy back flats in all the blocks. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

The proposals aim to strengthen oversight of fire safety equipment inspections, among others. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong housing

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.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court family’s marathon efforts to retrieve belongings one last time

Residents Joe and Annie race against time to pack anything valuable they can find during second and final visit.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | ‘Farewell, Wang Fuk Court’

Wang Kin House residents complete their final visit to their former home after deadly Tai Po fire.

Wang Kin House residents complete their final visit to their former home after deadly Tai Po fire
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Hong Kong housing

Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says victims had average living space of five square metres, presenting numerous fire safety hazards.

Accidents and personal safety

1 dead, 4 injured as Hong Kong subdivided flat fire forces 300 to be evacuated

Man, aged 69, killed and four taken to hospital after fire broke out at flat inside Man Yuen Building in Jordan late on Thursday.

Hong Kong society

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.

Checks are being carried out on buildings planned at least 39 years ago. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Government to handle Wang Fuk Court insurance claims under buy-back plan: Hop On

But some residents who took part in second briefing by administrator say questions remain over how and when they can expect to receive compensation.

The government has earmarked HK$6.8 billion to acquire flats at seven of the eight blocks of the estate damaged by the fire. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong society

Elderly woman dies in fire sparked by faulty air conditioner in Hong Kong flat

Blaze ignited at Yu Tung Court in Tung Chung on Friday morning, with 300 people evacuated.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Smoking ban at construction sites must be implemented without delay

Proposed legislation to restrict smoking at sites is a reasonable step towards fostering responsible behaviour and boosting safety.

Hong Kong society

Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun

Labour chief reveals further details of proposed ban and lays out other priorities, including injury compensation mechanism for online delivery workers.

Currently, smoking in an outdoor area of a construction site is only illegal if it occurs near flammable materials. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Heroism and grief: 6 residents’ stories from Wang Fuk Court fire hearings

Read the powerful accounts of six residents, among 24 who appeared before independent committee investigating deadly Tai Po blaze.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court began on November 26 last year, killing 168 people, including a firefighter, and displacing about 5,000 residents. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: building authorities slammed at inquiry for ‘mechanical mindset’

Former head of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit acknowledges that old supervision mechanism had created ‘blind spot’.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Housing checking unit admits ‘blind spots’ amid ‘robotic’ workflow criticism

Te Chi-wang, deputy director of the Home Affairs Department, and ex-ICU head Lau Fu-kwok take stand at hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades.

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