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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.
Last November's fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 others. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Lawmakers flag gaps in proposed building management rules after Tai Po fire

Tightening proxy votes and strengthening oversight are moves in ‘correct’ direction, but legislators cite potential drawbacks and loopholes.

Accidents and personal safety

Man injured as fire engulfs 2 huts, 4 speedboats at village in Sai Kung

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

8% of Wang Fuk Court owners yet to accept buy-back as deadline looms

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.

Rescue services were sent to Begonia Mansion in Taikoo Shing after multiple reports of a fire. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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

Government-appointed independent committee releases interim investigation report from separate task force, including images of Ho’s gear.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong backtracks on requiring hotels to put fire escape hoods in rooms

Home Affairs Department says it will only encourage hotels to ensure supply of fire escape hoods in guest rooms, other spaces.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Contractor’s 2 directors deny all allegations in Tai Po fire witness statements

Independent committee investigating Wang Fuk Court fire also releases statement by district councillor previously criticised by residents.

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Prestige director Hau Wah-kin denied allegations of bid-rigging in his witness statement. Photo: Sam Tsang
Accidents and personal safety

Man dies, 78 people evacuated after fire breaks out at Hong Kong village house

Authorities say they were alerted at around 4.30am to blaze at home in Ling Shan Tsuen in Fanling.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong mandates fire escape hoods in hotels and guest houses to boost safety

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says implementation arrangements to be discussed with sector soon, as authorities give grace period.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong issues 21 smoking fines on construction sites in first 6 days of ban

Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui says authorities inspected about 530 construction sites during the first six days of the ban.

The smoking ban took effect on July 17. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court attend an extraordinary general meeting convened by government-appointed administrator Hop On Management Company at Tai Po Community Centre on July 19. The meeting was called after a joint petition requesting a full owners’ meeting to discuss future arrangements for the fire-ravaged Tai Po housing complex. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

9 tickets, 110 warnings issued after construction site smoking ban takes effect

Authorities have inspected over 200 construction sites since the ban began on Friday last week, labour commissioner says.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong prepares for sweeping reforms following end of Tai Po blaze inquiry

Political observers also expect senior officials, including ministers, to take accountability for blaze once committee submits report.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong to tighten contractor oversight after Tai Po blaze, minister vows

Development secretary also pledges to explore harsher penalties for offenders as government’s reliance on industry’s self-policing comes into question.

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Substandard non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting had been used in the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court, an independent investigating committee has heard. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tears of anger as Tai Po fire survivors slam negligent authorities after hearing

Following independent committee hearings, residents say government departments are passing the buck and call for courts to ensure accountability.

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Wang Fuk Court resident Peggy Liu talks to the media after the hearings on Friday. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Call to merge housing checking unit with Buildings Department after Tai Po fire

Some Wang Fuk Court residents question why team tasked with inspecting construction projects should remain under Housing Bureau.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

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Bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of the Wang Fuk Court towers in January. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

Hong Kong society

First day of smoking ban at construction sites in Hong Kong catches out offenders

Authorities hand out eight fixed penalty notices to workers and plan to prosecute contractor as industry tries to stamp out safety risk.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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.

Last November’s fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Deceitful firms mostly to blame for deadly Tai Po blaze, government counsel says

Jenkin Suen attributes Wang Fuk Court inferno to ‘deceit, inaction and deliberate omission’ of contractors who exploited regulatory regimes.

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Government counsel Jenkin Suen (centre) arrives for Thursday’s session of the inquiry. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: 5 ‘key weaknesses’ flagged in government regulations – as it happened

Witness says the system itself does not have fundamental flaws, but it lacks a mechanism to target unscrupulous collusion.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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’.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Authorities slam online claims about Wang Fuk Court acquisition company

Housing Bureau says ‘individuals with ulterior motives’ may be trying to confuse the public by claiming company is an ‘empty shell’.

Seven of the eight high-rise towers at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po were ravaged by fire last November. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong society

Fallen firefighter Ho awarded Medal for Bravery in Hong Kong’s 2026 Honours List

Economist Lawrence Lau is among three recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the city’s top honour.

Firefighter Ho Wai-ho was one of 168 people killed in the inferno. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says tragedy left profound impact on all involved departments and highlighted need to strengthen oversight.

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Accidents and personal safety

Woman dies after fire at Hong Kong flat, 3 others hospitalised

Fifty-year-old pronounced dead at Kwong Wah Hospital after fire at Ho Man Tin’s Valiant Court.

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