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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.
Flowers surround trees at the Kwong Fuk Sitting-out Area near the scene of the fire at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong national security law

Beijing warns foreign media in Hong Kong over crossing ‘red lines’ during meeting

In meeting with wire agencies and other outlets, national security office says reports on fire relief efforts and Legco poll must adhere to law.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire aftermath: how victims are dealing with the psychological toll

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

55 blocks in Hong Kong can’t meet deadline to take down scaffolding nets

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

As I see it | Politicisation of Hong Kong’s fire tragedy in Western media a new low

There has been an unhelpful propensity to view the fire and its aftermath through the lens of a Western version of democracy.

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Members of the Disaster Victims Identification Unit work at the scene of the fire in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on December 3. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘Like a ghost town’: Hong Kong neighbourhood struggles to adjust after fatal fire

With the flames put out and cordons lifted, residents living near the charred remains of Wang Fuk Court now reckon with how to move forward.

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Lessons from China's history

Reflections | In wake of Tai Po blaze, China’s long and difficult struggle fighting fire

The qualities that made buildings beautiful in premodern Chinese cities also made them dangerously flammable, and fire was a constant threat.

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Hong Kong

What does a city do after the unthinkable? It shows up

Near Wang Fuk Court, volunteers from across the city gathered to offer help, lay flowers and turn Tai Po into a place of shared care.

Friends Irena Leung (left) and Valerie Kwok, both 15, hug in front of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate, in Tai Po, on November 28. Photo: Alexander Mak
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong Baptist University suspends student union amid fire-related messages

University accused of silencing union after removing messages from campus mourning victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze and calling for justice.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

500 pupils affected by Hong Kong fire resume classes at university this week

Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils studying in temporary classrooms at Education University, with support from teachers, psychologists.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong developers push for smoking ban at construction sites after deadly fire

Two developers already stepping up measures, with viral video showing workers being told: ‘If anyone is caught smoking, they will have to leave’.

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Workers at a construction site in Kai Tak. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Letters | Rather than point fingers, Hongkongers should join hands to rebuild

Readers discuss the need to focus on recovery amid an official investigation of the Tai Po fire, the multiple causes of the tragedy, and Hong Kong’s retail downturn.

Mourners fold paper cranes during a memorial event held outside the Wang Fuk Court apartment blocks on December 3, in the aftermath of the deadly November 26 fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Give pupils and parents say on axing Christmas parties, Hong Kong schools told

Disappointed students say axed Christmas celebrations would have helped take their minds off tragedy in Tai Po.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong scaffold nets come down after deadly fire as residents get more help

Authorities also double living allowance for Tai Po fire-hit households to HK$100,000.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘Let me stay’: residents of block unscathed by Hong Kong fire hope to return

Residents arrived at Wang Chi House for last day of collecting belongings from their homes, with some hoping to remain in familiar district.

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Government staff help residents of Wang Chi House to collect their belongings. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

140 private doctors offering free basic healthcare to Hong Kong fire victims

Scheme grants survivors of Tai Po fire three consultations, plus medication, free of charge between now and February 28 next year.

Last week’s blaze left at least 159 dead and 79 injured. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Scaffolding nets removed across Hong Kong as firms seek to meet 3-day deadline

Workers begin taking down green mesh, a day after government orders their removal following allegations of false safety certificates issued at sites.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Commercialisation of Hong Kong’s public venues must come with a caveat

Readers discuss the government’s bid to open up underused public venues, call for a Firefighters’ Day, and take issue with the sensationalisation of news.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Domestic helpers deserve praise for heroism in Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s domestic helpers should get equal attention for their recent heroism and daily efforts that help hold the community together.

People gathered on November 30 to pay tribute to the victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire. More than 200 foreign workers were employed and living with families in the housing estate before it became an inferno on November 26. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Property firm ISS insists it has ‘admin role’, but Hong Kong watchdog disagrees

Property Management Services Authority vows to rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches in wake of deadly Wang Fuk Court fire.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Digging through Hong Kong’s disaster site left them wanting to cry

Head of Disaster Victim Identification Unit describes difficult conditions team faced in search for bodies at Wang Fuk Court after inferno.

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Insurance

Hong Kong insurers identify 8,700 policies owned by Tai Po fire victims

Residents of Wang Fuk Court hold 7,600 active life and 1,100 property policies provided by some 30 insurers, Insurance Authority CEO says.

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Mourners lay flowers in tribute to the victims of the fire that broke out on November 26 at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino helper on her second day of work when Tai Po fire hit; escapes with baby

Rhodora Alcaraz, who is still in intensive care, has been hailed as a hero among Filipino workers in Hong Kong and by her own country.

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Rhodora Alcaraz is now in a stable condition but remains in the ICU. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Letters | Safety lapses in Hong Kong’s construction industry must be fixed

Readers discuss an overhaul of the project tendering process, more raids at renovation sites, high-rise building design, and deploying the emergency alert system.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Brief return to fire-hit Hong Kong estate for some residents – as it happened

Authorities also say scaffolding mesh on about 200 buildings across the city must be taken down within three days.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Exclusive | ‘Market is rotten’: Hong Kong fire exposes greedy building renovation business

Skyrocketing costs and stock of old estates turn an industry rife with bid-rigging and collusive conduct into a gold mine, experts say.

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Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing extensive renovation work. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Independent probe into fire and Legco poll go-ahead important steps forward

Judge-led review committee will enable systematic reforms while new lawmakers will work with government to follow up on the necessary changes.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee attends a press conference at the government headquarters in Admiralty on December 2. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Judge-led panel to probe deadly blaze as Hong Kong goes ahead with election

Death toll from Wang Fuk Court inferno rises to 156 after five more bodies found.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Residents of tower spared in Hong Kong blaze get 90 minutes to fetch belongings

12-hour windows will be given on Wednesday and Thursday, with civil servants on hand to help move possessions.

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