Full Breakdown
Inquiry Reveals Fire Safety Oversights in Tai Po Blaze
4/8/2026, 10:13:42 PM
Overview of the Tai Po Fire Incident
The inquiry into the Tai Po fire, which occurred in November 2022 and resulted in the deaths of 168 individuals and the displacement of nearly 5,000 residents, has uncovered significant lapses in fire safety protocols. Central to the investigation are the actions of China Status Development and Engineering and Victory Fire Engineering, contractors responsible for the fire safety systems at Wang Fuk Court.
Key Findings from the Inquiry
During the ninth session of the independent committee's hearings, it was revealed that China Status Development and Engineering submitted 85 shutdown notices to deactivate the hose reel system across all eight blocks of Wang Fuk Court without conducting any on-site inspections. Leung Ping-kay, a director of China Status, admitted that his company acted merely as a "rubber stamp," extending shutdown notices based on instructions from Prestige Constructions and Engineering, the renovation contractor. This practice was criticized as "mechanical" and "automatic," lacking the necessary oversight required by fire safety regulations.
The inquiry also highlighted that the fire water tanks at Wang Fuk Court had been drained, and the main power switches for the fire hose reels and alarms were turned off, yet no notifications were made to the Fire Services Department. This failure to communicate critical safety information has been deemed a significant oversight.
Responsibilities and Regulatory Breaches
Leung acknowledged that China Status did not assess the necessity of shutting down the firefighting system, which he conceded was not ideal. He defended the practice by stating it was common in the industry for construction contractors to issue shutdown notices, despite the lack of direct oversight from fire services contractors. However, Victor Dawes, the committee's lead counsel, clarified that Prestige Constructions did not hold the necessary fire services license, contradicting Leung's defense.
Additionally, the inquiry revealed that Victory Fire Engineering, the estate's fire services equipment contractor, failed to notify authorities about the shutdown of the fire services system. Chung Kit-man, director of Victory Fire, argued that he believed only the contractor who initiated the shutdown was responsible for notification. He admitted to not inspecting the fire services system personally, relying instead on reports from colleagues.
Criticism of Industry Practices
The inquiry has drawn criticism regarding the industry practices that allowed such oversights to occur. Dawes emphasized that had the fire alarm system been operational during the blaze, many lives could have been saved. The committee's findings suggest a systemic failure in adhering to fire safety regulations, raising questions about the accountability of contractors involved.
Official Statements & Responses
The Fire Services Department's assistant director for licensing and certification, Keung Sai-ming, stated that both China Status and Victory Fire bore responsibility for the oversight. The inquiry continues to explore the implications of these findings on fire safety regulations and contractor accountability in Hong Kong.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So, obviously, China Status bears responsibility for the deactivation of the fire alarm system. If the fire alarm had sounded on the day of the blaze, many lives could have been saved,” — Victor Dawes, Lead Counsel
- “Perhaps I was too busy. I should have spared more time,” — Chung Kit-man, Director of Victory Fire Engineering
The inquiry into the Tai Po blaze underscores the critical need for stringent adherence to fire safety protocols and the importance of accountability among contractors responsible for public safety.
