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Clifford Lo

FUN-SEEKERS are being warned to stay away from unlicensed karaoke bars because of possible fire risks.

  The Fire Services Department yesterday said the Government was considering strengthening safety controls on them.

  The department admitted it was unable to ensure fire inspections took place on karaoke bars because of limited resources.

  The warning was made by Chief Fire Officer Paul Chan Hoi after a fire on Sunday destroyed the Yiyuan disco, in Fuxin, Liaoning, killing 233 people.

  Acting Chief Fire Officer (Protection) Lam Chun-man said karaoke bars did not need to comply with fire safety requirements because there were no licensing controls on them.

  'Operators can start business as soon as they are granted a business registration certificate,' he said.

   Karaoke bars are mostly concentrated in Mongkok and Yau Tsim districts.

  Mr Chan said the department did not inspect those premises because of a lack of resources and manpower.

  'At this moment, I don't think we can do it, unless somebody makes a complaint,' he said.

  But he said the department did carry out inspections on licensed premises or those applying for a licence.

  Mr Chan said members of the public went to unlicensed establishments at their own risk.

  A Government inter-departmental working group is studying amendments to the Places of Public Entertainment Ordinance to strengthen controls on karaoke bars.

  Meanwhile, some clubs are privately operating without licences under the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

  A spokesman for the City and New Territories Administration said 18 premises had been found to be operating without a licence so far this year.

  Warnings had been issued to 11, demanding they upgrade structures to comply with fire and structural safety requirements, the spokesman said.



Department warns of karaoke fire hazards