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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.
Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. At present, contractors are only required to notify the fire department by submitting a shutdown notice after deactivating fire safety systems. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

45% of fire safety shutdowns run past new 2-month cap after Tai Po blaze

Official figures show 5,674 of 12,558 deactivation notices filed in past two years involved work that lasted for more than two months.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

What to leave? Returning Wang Fuk Court residents stuck with tough decisions

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Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong police investigate ‘suspicious’ fire after man dies in fall

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: tendering system can’t stop firms manipulating market, inquiry told

Urban Renewal Authority officials tell hearing that body lacks resources to combat bid-rigging linked to estates’ renovation projects.

Peter Wong (centre), the URA’s director of building rehabilitation, was among those who testified at the hearing on Thursday. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court resident finds charred HK$100,000 inheritance after opening safe

Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | More light is shed on Tai Po fire trauma and systemic failures

As returning residents share images of their charred homes, the inquiry shines a light on systemic flaws that contributed to the tragedy.

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Good Schools Guide

How parents can help their children deal with grief after the Tai Po tragedy

Coverage of the Wang Fuk Court fire could affect most children, but how they display their feelings may differ depending on age, culture and other factors.

Residents fly kites at Tai Po Waterfront Park, Hong Kong, in February, with the burnt buildings of Wang Fuk Court in the background. Photo: Eugene Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

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.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Sisters aim for fresh start after ‘saying goodbye’ to ruined Wang Fuk Court flat

Some residents grapple with loss of belongings and condition of their homes on their return to Wang Tai House and Wang Kin House.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Initial support for HK$1 billion buyback of block unscathed in Tai Po blaze

Nearly 80 per cent of Wang Chi House homeowners willing to sell, with buy-back of tower to cost about HK$1 billion, deputy financial secretary says.

Wang Chi House (in green mesh) was originally excluded from the government’s long-term resettlement plan for Wang Fuk Court residents unveiled in February.Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fire risks not spotted due to old inspection guidelines, Tai Po blaze inquiry told

Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.

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A block at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The residential complex was undergoing renovation when the fire broke out last November. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Claims of no foam material regulations ‘unacceptable’, Tai Po fire probe hears

Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | ‘My home is right here. Why would I bid it farewell?’

The Yip family will have to face this ordeal again in about a week.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court residents make long climb to retrieve family treasures

Jewellery, cash, photo albums and keepsakes linked to dead loved ones among items reclaimed by residents.

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A resident collects personal belongings from Wang Sun House. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

Wang Fuk Court is engulfed in flames on November 26 last year. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Contractors must justify shutdowns under tighter scrutiny: fire chief

Andy Yeung tells committee that Fire Services Department will amend laws, tighten oversight of fire services installation contractors.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

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Derek Chan (right) arrives at City Gallery in Central for the hearing. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘Lifetime of memories’: survivors return to worst-hit Wang Fuk Court block

Survivors recount narrow escapes and salvage belongings, as some demand accountability and criticise time limits after deadly blaze.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tough penalties planned to stop unapproved fire system shutdowns in Hong Kong

Security Bureau plans to propose legal amendments to improve oversight following deadly Tai Po fire last November.

The proposed measures aim to combat malpractice in light of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘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.

Members of the media wait outside City Gallery in Central. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Polyfoam use left unchecked amid gap in supervision, Tai Po fire probe hears

Fire service official Michael Yung says responsibility for flagged hazards lies with Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit and Labour Department.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po blaze probe: temporary removal of fireproof windows ‘complied with rules’

Panel chairman questions whether interests of workers and residents are at odds under existing regulations.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hard to enforce fire safety even under amended laws: Tai Po probe chairman

Labour Department found that no workers smoked on site, safety officer says, suggesting that those repeatedly seen smoking eluded inspections.

The Wang Fuk Court fire, which started on November 26 last year, destroyed all but one of the estate’s eight blocks. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Vote rigging at Wang Fuk Court went unchecked before deadly fire, inquiry hears

Ex-committee member Jason Kong says proxy votes kept predecessors in power until controversial HK$336 million renovation led to their ousting.

Jason Kong talks to the press after his testimony. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire probe: member alleges rigged votes in management committee election

Committee member also admits owners’ corporation failed to follow through with threats to fine contractor for workers’ persistent smoking on site.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘Like charcoal’: Wang Fuk Court residents sift through ashes for belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says first day of phased re-entry proceeded ‘in an orderly manner’ and describes process as ‘largely smooth’.

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