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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 banner banning smoking at a construction site in Fanling on May 10. Photo: Eugene Lee
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

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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

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’.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and left nearly 5,000 others displaced. Photo: Jelly Tse
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.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Inspector failed to spot illegal alterations, Hong Kong fire probe hears

Senior maintenance surveyor thought wooden boards used to cover temporary openings at Wang Fuk Court designed to protect ‘broken’ windows.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: inspectors failed to anticipate firms’ deception, inquiry hears

Senior surveyor becomes first member of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit to testify at hearing into city’s deadliest fire in decades.

Andy Ku (centre), a senior maintenance surveyor for the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit, at City Gallery in Central for the hearing. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

Residents demand answers on finances, insurance claims and renovation contracts following deadly fire at Hong Kong estate.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po probe: Housing Bureau’s checking unit failed to monitor safety issues

Committee’s lead counsel presses Independent Checking Unit officer on its responsibilities and whether it had properly overseen key safety issues.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fire services to be ‘gatekeepers’ for safety, Hong Kong security chief vows

Secretary for Security says responsibility for fire safety ultimately lies with Fire Services Department, amid fallout from Tai Po blaze.

The proposed amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance in response to the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court will strengthen oversight. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Nearly all residents of blaze-hit towers in Tai Po return to collect belongings

Government says 6,265 people joined return programme that ended on Monday, with only about 50 households not taking part.

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According to the government, more than 1,000 personnel from various departments were deployed each day of the operation. Photo: Eugene Lee
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

Residents returning to Wang Fuk Court after last November’s fire make tough choices on what to pack and what to leave behind.

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Accidents and personal safety

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

Elderly woman was also rushed to hospital after heavy smoke inhalation, police say.

Royal Garden on Boundary Street, Ho Man Tin. Photo: Google Maps
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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