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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.
Residents of Fu Shin Estate in Tai Po held a meeting on December 20 to discuss their own renovation project after the nearby fire tragedy. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Opinion | Hong Kong must tackle long-term problem of building maintenance

Thousands of ageing high-rises will need repair work over the next few years. Responsibility for the projects amid reports of bid-rigging needs to be addressed.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

5,000 Hong Kong workers idle as new scaffold net safety regime hits 200 projects

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

How a Hong Kong mum is finding strength to rebuild life after Tai Po fire

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

How Hong Kong’s Tai Po community is finding light in darkness, 1 month after fire

As Wang Fuk Court residents and their neighbours pick up the pieces after blaze, glimmers of hope and generosity bring comfort.

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The fire, which raged for 43 hours, killed 161 people, including a firefighter, and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘Holding on to hope’: Hong Kong fire survivors make New Year wish for a home

Fire-hit residents wish for long-term resettlement, saying they ‘are more concerned about having a roof over their head’.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

Man, 48, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter is 16th person detained in connection with fire.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Committee probing Hong Kong fire visits Wang Fuk Court to inspect conditions

Panel chairman Justice David Lok visits scene of blaze with committee members to understand ‘actual environment’ at estate.

Members of the independent committee inspect Wang Fuk Court in the company of firefighters. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong Red Cross unveils HK$420 million relief fund for Tai Po fire victims

Charity to provide cash, medical and mental health aid under a three- to five-year recovery plan for families hit by the deadly blaze.

Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Hong Kong’s fire victims need empathy, clarity and a plan

The fire must compel us to re-examine how we assign risk, structure contracts, insure homes and support communities after a catastrophe.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong lawyers give free aid to Tai Po residents at loss over next legal steps

As residents of Wang Fuk Court rebuild their lives, hundreds of lawyers have stepped in to help them understand their legal options.

The blackened buildings of Wang Fuk Court. An independent review committee has been tasked with investigating the blaze. Photo: Elson Li
Legislative Council election 2025

Deadly Tai Po blaze affected Hong Kong Legco election voter turnout: minister

Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says city’s worst fire in decades ‘dampened enthusiasm’, leading to second-lowest rate since 1997.

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Hong Kong’s Legco election turnout rose slightly from 2021, but officials say the deadly fire in Tai Po impacted the public’s will to vote. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘No leniency’: Hong Kong minister vows tougher safety laws after Tai Po fire

Development chief Bernadette Linn says authorities must ‘thoroughly review the existing system with a heavy hand’.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Death toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 161 after new DNA match

‘DNA tests are still being carried out, and we do not rule out the possibility that the DNA of other deceased people may be identified,’ police commissioner says.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Building renovation management should not be entrusted to laymen

Readers discuss the law that makes owners responsible for common parts of buildings, the opening of the Chinese Medicine Hospital, and a robot’s record-breaking feat of endurance.

A worker removes netting from a scaffold in Hong Kong on December 5, following the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | Fallen firefighter Ho Wai-ho laid to rest

37-year-old firefighter died battling a massive inferno that engulfed several Tai Po residential blocks in late November.

Fallen Hong Kong firefighter Ho Wai-ho has officially been laid to rest in Gallant Garden, a cemetery plot reserved for civil servants who died in the line of duty. Ho was killed battling the Tai Po blaze in late November.
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Hong Kong

Video | Hong Kong firefighters pay tribute to fallen colleague

Ho Wai-ho lost his life at the age of 37 as he battled the massive Tai Po inferno that claimed the lives of 160 in late November.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fallen firefighter honoured in funeral procession as Hongkongers pay tribute

Ho Wai-ho given full honours as hearse travels past site of fire in Tai Po en route to final resting place in Gallant Garden.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong right to strike a balance on New Year’s events

In the wake of the deadly fire, cancelling the fireworks display while going ahead with some events is sensible even as investigations into the tragedy continue.

Victoria Harbour will not be lighting up with the usual fireworks display on New Year’s Eve as the city continues to mourn after the deadly Tai Po fire. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesian helper who died in Hong Kong fire ‘was always there’ for others

Desi Widiana, one of nine Indonesian helpers killed in the Tai Po fire, was found huddled together with her elderly ward.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Tai Po fire tragedy shows importance of disaster risk reduction

Readers discuss how addressing risk factors can save lives and minimise loss, the turnout of the Legislative Council election, and the Japanese prime minister’s controversial remarks on Taiwan.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong scraps New Year’s Eve fireworks, moves countdown to Central

Chief Secretary Eric Chan chairs interdepartmental meeting on arrangements for welcoming visitors over New Year break.

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Chater Road is all lit up as “Starlight Boulevard” for the Christmas season. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire: chairman, former head of Wang Fuk Court owners’ group arrested

Post learns pair arrested by ICAC as part of investigation into renovation works linked to the city’s deadliest fires in decades.

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Last month’s fire at Wang Fuk Court killed at least 160 people. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Singaporean community in Hong Kong comes together to help Tai Po fire victims

HK$1.83 million donation will go to city government’s relief fund for victims of last month’s inferno at Wang Fuk Court estate.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘I cried for an hour’: Hong Kong preachers offer support to Tai Po fire survivors

Jessie Fu and Ron Cheng volunteered to support survivors of last month’s fire, but say their work forced them to confront their own traumas.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Opinion | Transparency, accountability essential after Tai Po fire as Hong Kong heals

A city full of people living in tower blocks similar to those at Wang Fuk Court needs clear answers from committees investigating the tragedy.

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A man stands in front of the aftermath of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, on December 11. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino victim in Hong Kong fire ‘planned to go home for good to be with son’

Maryan Pascual Esteban, who died with her five-year-old ward Hannah in the Tai Po inferno, was excited about heading home, friend says.

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Filipino domestic helper killed in Tai Po fire. UNDATED HANDOUT
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong government ‘confident’ of finding site to rehouse Tai Po blaze residents

Identifying site for new subsidised flats is one of several options being considered for those left homeless by deadly inferno, senior official says.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong man, 51, badly burnt after allegedly setting his own flat on fire

Authorities receive multiple calls at 3.43am as residents report blaze at estate, with occasional sounds of explosions.

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