Following a catastrophic No. 5-alarm blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 30, 2025, that claimed over 100 lives, public focus has shifted intensely to the construction and renovation practices used in large housing estates across Hong Kong. Initial investigations suggest that the improper use of highly combustible materials, specifically flammable foam boards used to seal windows, may have significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the deadly inferno across the multi-block complex. This disaster has directly implicated Will Power Architects Company Limited, the project’s consulting firm, two of whose directors have been arrested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on corruption allegations.
The immediate fallout is being felt across other estates where Will Power is currently engaged. At On Kay Court in Ngau Tau Kok, where the firm is consulting on facade repairs, the owners’ corporation convened an urgent annual general meeting to address mounting concerns regarding project safety and the firm’s competence.
Flammable Materials Allegedly Ignored Consultant Warnings
Central to the tragedy is the accusation that substandard and highly flammable foam panels were selected despite warnings from project consultants. A senior project officer from Will Power, who worked on both the ill-fated Wang Fuk Court refurbishment and the ongoing On Kay Court project, attended the Ngau Tau Kok meeting to field questions.
The officer disclosed that he had “strongly opposed” the choice of foam panels for window enclosures at Wang Fuk Court, instead recommending the use of less flammable plywood. However, the consultant asserted that his company lacked the final authority, stating: “We were adamant that foam should not be used. The problem is, I am not the employer.” This testimony suggests a critical breakdown in the checks and balances between consultants, contractors, and the employing owners’ corporation regarding material selection and safety compliance.
Maintaining Integrity Amid Corruption Probe
The scale of the destruction at Wang Fuk Court—where multiple towers were engulfed, and numerous flats were severely damaged—has understandably alarmed residents undertaking repairs at other Housing Bureau estates. In response, a four-estate audit was launched by the Housing Bureau’s independent review team on November 27. On Kay Court was specifically inspected due to its association with Will Power.
At the Ngau Tau Kok meeting, residents questioned whether a firm with two directors detained by the ICAC could still reliably supervise complex repair works. The Will Power officer vigorously defended the procedural integrity of the On Kay Court project, contending that all documentation, including contracts and tenders, had been rigorously vetted and approved by both the owners’ corporation and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), dismissing any accusation of impropriety.
However, the officer conceded that the firm’s internal stability was uncertain following the arrests. When pressed on whether Will Power retained the necessary personnel to competently complete their contracted duties, he admitted, “At this moment, do we have the necessary professionals? I genuinely cannot answer. From my position, I do not know.”
Moving Forward: Enhancing Oversight and Accountability
The Wang Fuk Court disaster underscores an urgent need for enhanced regulatory oversight concerning material usage in large-scale residential renovations, especially the mandatory adherence to fire safety standards well beyond minimum compliance. The incident also highlights potential vulnerabilities in the consultant-client relationship, where cost pressures or procedural flaws may override critical professional safety recommendations.
As the ICAC investigation continues, building safety experts contend that owners’ corporations and regulatory bodies must take immediate steps to mandate transparent material tracking and implement stricter veto power for independent consultants on matters of fire safety. This tragedy serves as a grim and immediate call for structural reform and greater accountability across all levels of Hong Kong’s vast public and private housing renovation sector.