Following the catastrophic No. 5 alarm fire that devastated Wang Fuk Estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, leading to at least 159 fatalities and displacing over 1,000 households, authorities are intensifying investigations into critical failures of the estate’s fire alarm system. Despite receiving regulatory confirmation of compliance earlier this year, fire bells failed to activate across nearly the entire complex during the blaze. This significant lapse has prompted scrutiny of mandatory fire safety protocols, maintenance management, and the possibility of deliberate human interference with safety equipment.
Alarm System Failure Raises Suspicions
The tragedy occurred recently, yet reports confirm that the fire alarm system failed to sound in seven of the estate’s eight residential blocks, according to the Fire Services Department (FSD). While the alarm successfully functioned in Wang San Court, the broad and simultaneous failure elsewhere starkly contradicts the estate’s annual inspection report.
In March, a registered fire service contractor submitted an inspection report confirming the fire alarm system and other installations met FSD requirements, noting only minor, non-critical defects on select floors. The estate held a valid Fire Service Installations and Equipment certificate. The FSD stated that while preliminary checks found the main system had not been physically switched off, its non-activation is now central to the investigation.
Fire safety consultants are openly questioning the simultaneous silence, suggesting it is highly improbable without intentional human action. One expert noted that silencing an alarm can involve simply pulling a wire, emphasizing that neither routine building work nor hose-reel maintenance should disable a manual call-point system. They added that advanced systems often flag disabled equipment, implying that alerts themselves may have been suppressed.
Ongoing Management and Oversight Concerns
The FSD confirmed receiving the estate’s annual inspection report and subsequently issued reminder letters in October and November urging the rectification of the minor defects identified in March. However, the lengthy delay in addressing even minor issues is drawing criticism from industry professionals.
Leung Kam-tak, a fire safety consultant, acknowledged that Hong Kong’s legal framework under Cap. 95 (Fire Services Ordinance) provides robust oversight, including FSD spot checks on 10% of annual reports. However, he argued that timely repairs remain the owner’s responsibility once defects are reported. Leung proposed systemic changes, such as mandating fixed-term contractors to reduce tendering delays and expedite remedial works, stating that it should not take months to resolve minor issues.
Further complicating the matter, a former Wang Fuk Estate security supervisor, identified only as Mr. Wong, informed local media that the fire system was allegedly found deliberately turned off on his first day of work. Wong claimed repeated internal reports about the breach were ignored, suggesting alarms might have been disabled for property management convenience.
Police Investigate Contractor Fraud
The escalating crisis has led to criminal investigation. Police Commissioner Joe Chow confirmed on December 3rd that six additional arrests have been made, targeting fire service contractors suspected of making false statements regarding the status of fire safety equipment.
Tsui Mun-kam, the chairperson of the Owners’ Corporation, emphasized the need for due process while police inquiries continue, cautioning against premature judgment. Tsui pointed out the structural challenges facing the corporation, noting the difficulty residents—many of them elderly—faced in navigating technical requirements and selecting contractors from a pool of 57 potential service providers.
The tragic fire underscores significant governance failures and the critical importance of ensuring the operational integrity of fire safety infrastructure. As authorities probe both potential criminal intent through equipment tampering and management negligence in maintenance, the focus remains on enhancing operational safety standards and oversight to prevent such widespread catastrophic failures in the future.