An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades hears arguments that poor construction practices and evasion of regulatory oversight helped a small blaze become a large disaster. The probe takes place as it nears its conclusion and is considering evidence related to the November fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district. The blaze spreads through seven buildings of the apartment complex, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of residents, many of whom are still in temporary housing.
Committee lead lawyer Victor Dawes tells the panel that non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting used during a major renovation is very likely to have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. He also cites boarding-up of staircase window openings with wooden planks, which he says produced smoke in residents’ escape routes.
The committee hears claims that Will Power Architects Company, described as a consultancy, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor, allegedly cut corners on both workmanship and materials, while deceiving regulators and homeowners. The investigation continues to assess these allegations and how oversight failures may have affected safety checks before and during the renovation.
