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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.
The Fire Services Department received a fire alarm report at about 2.30am on Wednesday concerning Kin Wah House at Kin Ming Estate in Tiu Keng Leng. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hundreds evacuated after cooking mishap sparks false fire alarm in Hong Kong

Firefighters find cooking pot that had boiled dry in flat where white smoke originated.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Workers ready to sacrifice Lunar New Year break as scaffold net rules bite

Crime in Hong Kong

22 arrested as Hong Kong’s ICAC raids firms linked to shady renovation deals

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Education in Hong Kong

University in Hong Kong ‘expels’ student arrested for sedition over Tai Po fire

Miles Kwan, who was arrested after launching a petition calling on the government to meet four demands following the blaze, claims he has been expelled.

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A student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong who was arrested on suspicion of sedition has claimed that he has been expelled from the institution. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Social workers in Tai Po fire relief warn of burnout after colleague dies

Lack of communication by government on aid plans often adds stress to heavy workload, they say.

Accidents and personal safety

30 people evacuated at Hong Kong airport after fire breaks out

Two teams of firefighters called to scene after fire breaks out in a switch room.

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Accidents and personal safety

Tougher fire safety rules expected in new Hong Kong bill, including fixed fines

Authorities will submit draft law by end of year to strengthen enforcement and free up resources for more complex cases.

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Authorities will submit a bill by the end of the year to strengthen fire safety after the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong government defends estate administrator after Tai Po fire hearing

Minister says Hop On Management will be present ‘as necessary’ at future hearings following criticism residents lacked legal representation.

Accidents and personal safety

Barge catches fire at Yau Ma Tei cargo area, second case in less than a week

Blaze on barge carrying recycled metal early on Friday prompts Hong Kong lawmaker to call for stricter safety oversight.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire inquiry finds key clues of systemic failures: barrister

At the first meeting, residents of Wang Fuk Court call on committee to identify and hold those responsible to account.

A Wang Fuk Court resident, surnamed Tang, enters City Gallery in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Senior civil servants to face scrutiny in Hong Kong blaze inquiry

Senior civil servants and department heads among witnesses to be cross-examined by an independent committee as victims demand accountability.

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The devastating Wang Fuk Court blaze claimed 168 lives last November. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court survivors hit out at ‘bureaucratic’ process for URA subsidies

Hop On Management outlines rigid schedule for cheque collection for URA building maintenance subsidies, which must be completed by owner or authorised person.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to consider HK$3,000 fixed penalty for smoking on construction sites

Government earlier proposed maximum fine of HK$150,000.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

85% of insurance claims related to Tai Po fire settled, totalling HK$510 million

Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority says insurers have settled more than 1,000 claims related to damages caused by deadly blaze last November.

A man in Tai Po’s Yuen Chau Tsai Park, with the charred buildings of Wang Fuk Court in the background. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Small Hong Kong firms struggling with scaffold net safety costs: contractor

‘Bigger contractors can usually handle the testing process … But for small and medium-sized firms with only one or two projects, it’s much harder,’ representative says.

Hong Kong’s construction watchdog should help small firms procure approved scaffolding nets at a lower cost, a leading contractor has said. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

My Take | Tai Po fire victims are not being served well by the inaction on class actions

It has been two decades since moves began to bring such cases to Hong Kong. Any resolution will likely come too late for Wang Fuk Court residents.

US-China trade war

Trump slams allies’ China ties, top generals fall, cross-strait talks

This week: US president says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to boost China ties, two top Chinese generals face corruption probes, and gold surges. Next week: Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang resume forum after 10 years, Uruguay president visits China, Shanghai opens skies to drones and more.

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Hong Kong

Video | Tai Po fire widow wants answers and accountability

Christy Lee lost her home and her husband to Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

4 still in hospital, 75 discharged after Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire

‘All those injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority will receive full fee waivers for necessary treatment,’ spokesman says.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Hong Kong must tackle the long-standing lapses that led to Tai Po fire

The deep-rooted problems in building management, including bid-rigging, inflated costs and slack supervision, must be resolved once and for all.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong to test firefighting drones in pilot scheme

Authorities turn to new technology as part of efforts to enhance fire safety following the deadly Tai Po blaze.

Drones being used to inspect the buildings at Wang Fuk Court in the aftermath of the deadly Tai Po blaze. Authorities will test how this technology can be used in a firefighting capacity. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

John Lee weighs ‘all options’ amid feedback from flat owners hit by Tai Po fire

Hong Kong leader says government is analysing feedback from 90 per cent of homeowners affected by the blaze that killed 168 and displaced nearly 5,000.

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An aerial view of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Seven of the estate’s eight blocks were devastated in a catastrophic fire last November. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong extends building inspection deadline for contractor conviction checks

Some records are ‘definitely quite severe’ and include prosecutions for corruption and bribery, development chief Bernadette Linn says.

Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong should build a lasting foundation for stronger fire safety

Readers discuss ways to enhance an inspection operation, the survival of cinemas, and the plight of subdivided-flat tenants.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong authorities could vet construction firm directors to tighten oversight

Development chief says government could extend checks beyond project’s authorised person to help plug loopholes after Tai Po fire.

The deadly fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court last November exposed lapses in Hong Kong’s system of awarding building and maintenance contracts, among other areas. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong authorities start 2-month inspection operation on building fire safety

Fire Services Department begins checks on residential and mixed-use buildings planned at least 39 years ago to ensure safety equipment in place.

The fire alarm system at Tung Lee Mansion in Sai Wan, which was installed by the same contractor in charge of maintenance at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Government knows best? Hong Kong policymakers need to listen more

From Tai Po redevelopment to anti-bid-rigging measures, Hong Kong policies appear to have been shaped with little legislative input.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | Tai Po fire relief fund to earn interest from fixed deposits: Hong Kong minister

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says government ‘not that foolish’ to leave funds idle after some economists suggest investing money.

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