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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 proposals aim to strengthen oversight of fire safety equipment inspections, among others. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong unveils proposed overhaul of fire safety laws as consultation begins

Six months on from deadly Tai Po blaze, authorities launch consultation exercise on proposed amendments to Fire Services Ordinance.

Hong Kong housing

Editorial | Hong Kong must not slip into complacency on fire safety

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Wang Fuk Court family’s marathon efforts to retrieve belongings one last time

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | ‘Farewell, Wang Fuk Court’

Wang Kin House residents complete their final visit to their former home after deadly Tai Po fire.

Wang Kin House residents complete their final visit to their former home after deadly Tai Po fire
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Hong Kong housing

Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says victims had average living space of five square metres, presenting numerous fire safety hazards.

Accidents and personal safety

1 dead, 4 injured as Hong Kong subdivided flat fire forces 300 to be evacuated

Man, aged 69, killed and four taken to hospital after fire broke out at flat inside Man Yuen Building in Jordan late on Thursday.

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Hong Kong society

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

Checks are being carried out on buildings planned at least 39 years ago. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Government to handle Wang Fuk Court insurance claims under buy-back plan: Hop On

But some residents who took part in second briefing by administrator say questions remain over how and when they can expect to receive compensation.

Hong Kong society

Elderly woman dies in fire sparked by faulty air-conditioner in Hong Kong flat

Blaze ignited at Yu Tung Court in Tung Chung on Friday morning, with 300 people evacuated.

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.

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

Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun

Labour chief reveals further details of proposed ban and lays out other priorities, including injury compensation mechanism for online delivery workers.

Currently, smoking in an outdoor area of a construction site is only illegal if it occurs near flammable materials. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

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

Read the powerful accounts of six residents, among 24 who appeared before independent committee investigating deadly Tai Po blaze.

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’.

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.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse
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.

Yung Siu-lun arrives at City Gallery in Central for the fire hearing. Photo: Edmond So
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.

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.

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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.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Eugene Lee
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.

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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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.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. At present, contractors are only required to notify the fire department by submitting a shutdown notice after deactivating fire safety systems. Photo: Jelly Tse
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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Residents return to the estate to collect their belongings. Photo: Karma Lo
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.

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.

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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Several residents have found charred banknotes after searching their flats at the fire-ravaged estate. Photo: Kristen Cheung
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.

Wang Fuk Court residents return to salvage personal belongings from their fire-ravaged homes on April 25. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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.

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