Following a catastrophic blaze at Wang Fuk Court, residents of On Kay Court in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, are urgently scrutinizing the safety of their ongoing building renovation, prompting an emergency meeting Sunday to address deep-seated concerns. This heightened vigilance stems from the revelation that the Kwun Tong estate utilizes the same project consultant, Will Power Architects Company Limited, that was advising Wang Fuk Court—a firm whose principal executive was recently apprehended by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on suspicion of graft.
During the extraordinary general meeting, flat owners pressed the involved parties for assurances regarding fire protection on the massive scaffolding surrounding the complex. Widely Construction & Engineering Limited, the principal contractor overseeing the structural repairs and scaffolding installation, attempted to allay fears by differentiating their procedures from the site of the recent tragedy.
Consultant Controversy Sparks Safety Review
The connection between the renovation projects has increased resident anxiety, pushing safety and compliance to the forefront of the estate’s agenda. The scandal involving the consultant firm further complicates trust in the oversight of the multi-million dollar repair work.
Contractor representative Mr. Liu of Widely Construction emphasized that while some Hong Kong sites have been ordered to dismantle external netting following the Wang Fuk Court disaster, On Kay Court’s protective mesh remains in place. Liu asserted this was due to the material possessing British-standard certification, distinguishing it from substandard alternatives.
Crucially, Liu pointed out that the critical factor leading to the rapid spread of the Tai Po fire was the documented use of highly flammable foam boards affixed near windows—a material and procedure, he stressed, that is explicitly excluded from the On Kay Court work specification.
Contractor Offers Transparency and Demonstrations
To substantiate claims of compliance and safety, the contractor presented a video demonstration confirming that the netting material is indeed fire-retardant and adheres to the stringent requirements mandated by the Buildings Department.
Liu committed to radical transparency, inviting residents to attend voluntary, supervised burn tests. He announced that he would be available starting Monday afternoon at the site’s glass office, offering owners the opportunity to select any section of the installed netting for a live fire resistance trial.
Beyond material compliance, the contractor detailed enhanced on-site fire safety protocols implemented since the fatal blaze elsewhere. These measures include comprehensive fire-prevention training for all site personnel, the strict enforcement of a no-smoking policy throughout the construction area, the strategic placement of fire extinguishers on every floor, and the application of fire-resistant paint coatings at crucial scaffold access points.
The renovation is currently scheduled for completion, and subsequent scaffolding removal, in May of next year.
Fire System Inspection Accelerated
Despite the contractor’s assurances, some residents reported continuing unease. In response, the estate’s management company announced it would significantly accelerate the annual inspection of the complex’s fire services system. The management confirmed that detailed checks, typically scheduled later, would begin next month, with residents receiving notification of the exact dates once logistics are confirmed.
This incident underscores the imperative for robust project oversight and genuine material transparency in large-scale urban renovations. The proactive engagement by the On Kay Court community highlights the growing demand for residents to be active participants in verifying safety standards, moving beyond mere procedural compliance to ensure genuine protection against fire hazards in densely populated urban environments.