Hong Kong authorities announced Monday, December 1, that an urgent, comprehensive investigation is underway following a devastating No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, an incident five days earlier, on Wednesday, November 26, that resulted in over 100 casualties. Senior government officials emphasized the immediate priority given to the forensic examination and evidence collection, with multiple agencies collaborating to determine the cause and contributing factors of the deadly blaze that struck the expansive public housing estate.
Intense Forensic Examination Underway
The initial response has shifted to a meticulous, multi-pronged investigation spearheaded by the Fire Services Department’s (FSD) specialized unit. Investigators have formally launched a probe, seizing extensive evidence from approximately 20 locations across the housing complex. This includes samples gathered from several affected buildings, notably Wang Tai House, Wang Tao House, Wang Yan House, and Wang Chi House.
Preliminary analysis conducted on collected materials identified significant potential safety deficiencies. Specifically, investigators retrieved samples of scaffolding nets from varying elevations—upper, middle, and lower sections—from the four aforementioned houses. Testing revealed that seven of these scaffold net specimens failed to meet crucial fire-retardant standards required for construction and maintenance materials used in local high-density residential areas.
The findings point toward potentially compromised fire safety measures during ongoing or recent maintenance work, raising serious questions about material compliance and regulatory oversight.
Housing Bureau Expands Inquiry to City-Wide Materials
In parallel with the FSD, the Housing Bureau has established an independent task force to conduct a separate, but related, investigation. This unit is focusing specifically on building maintenance materials.
The task force has removed and sampled external wall components for immediate laboratory analysis. Crucially, the Bureau confirmed that its review will extend beyond Wang Fuk Court. Officials plan to examine whether comparable non-compliant products were utilized in other major government-led refurbishment and maintenance projects across Hong Kong. This proactive measure aims to preemptively identify and mitigate similar fire risks in other extensive public housing complexes throughout the territory.
The tragic incident at Wang Fuk Court underscores the critical need for stringent enforcement of construction material standards, particularly materials used externally that can facilitate rapid fire spread. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on rapid evidence analysis to provide clarity and accountability for the victims and the wider community. The findings are expected to inform an urgent review of fire safety protocols for all large-scale housing estate maintenance projects moving forward.