Hong Kong’s Deadliest Fire in Decades: Investigation Nears Conclusion
An independent committee is nearing the conclusion of its investigation into Hong Kong’s most catastrophic fire in decades. The fire, which erupted in November, devastated seven buildings within an apartment complex and claimed the lives of 168 individuals. Thousands of residents from the Wang Fuk Court complex in the suburban Tai Po district have been displaced, with many currently residing in temporary accommodations.
Leading the investigation, lawyer Victor Dawes highlighted that the rapid spread of the fire was likely exacerbated by the use of non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting during a major renovation at the complex. Additionally, wooden planks boarding staircase windows contributed to smoke accumulation in escape routes. Dawes pointed to Will Power Architects Company and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co. for cutting corners in materials and practices, deceiving regulators and residents. He noted that some compliance inspections were falsified, with professionals signing off documents without proper verification.
Dawes also criticized the government’s reliance on an honor system for project oversight, suggesting that relevant departments should share some responsibility. “When faced with dishonest bad actors, the entire system collapsed,” he remarked.
Emotional Reactions from Residents
During the closing statements, several residents expressed their distress. Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife in the tragedy, felt emotional yet appreciative of Dawes’ efforts to seek answers, though he was disappointed with the government’s stance. He criticized the government for not taking decisive actions to eliminate long-standing malpractice. Similarly, Lee Kwok-hung, who lost his mother and her two domestic helpers, questioned the government’s susceptibility to deceit, given their responsibilities.
On behalf of the government, lawyer Jenkin Suen recognized systemic flaws but defended that government departments were not the fire’s instigators. He accused certain professionals and contractors of misusing a system designed to protect the public, thereby betraying trust.
Jeffrey Tam, representing nine residents, noted that some residents chose to testify despite their distress. He commented on the tendency of some witnesses to evade responsibility, acknowledging the residents’ frustration. “Deflecting responsibility will not help the city uncover the truth,” he emphasized.
Wider Issues of Corruption
The committee also examined potential systemic issues and bid-rigging corruption in large-scale maintenance projects. Dawes noted that bid-rigging is prevalent in the city and that the incident at Wang Fuk Court is symptomatic of a broader issue.
Last month, Hong Kong authorities charged seven individuals, along with Will Power and Prestige, with offenses including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud. Authorities alleged that the companies and some individuals conspired to defraud apartment owners by obscuring Prestige’s litigation history and inflating its scores in a tender analysis report, resulting in a contract worth over 300 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $38 million) being awarded to Prestige.
Dawes stated that the tragedy is the result of multiple intertwined issues, not a singular cause. The committee, led by High Court judge David Lok, is expected to recommend measures after reviewing the fire’s causes and systemic problems and evaluating existing regulations and penalties. The panel was established in December with a nine-month timeline for reporting, though the release date of its findings remains unknown. Legal liabilities will be addressed separately by law enforcement agencies.
