Owner fined $14,175 for fire safety violation in Kowloon City flat.

Property owner fined over $14,000 for failing to comply with fire safety direction

An owner was convicted and fined $14,175 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on July 23 for failing to comply with a fire safety direction issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).

The Buildings Department (BD) issued a fire safety direction under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to the owner of a domestic flat in a 59-year-old composite building at Junction Road, Kowloon City, requiring the owner to comply with the fire safety construction requirements by providing a fire-rated door at the unit entrance which opens to the escape staircase.

Failing to comply with the statutory direction, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was convicted and fined by the court.

"According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner", a spokesman for the BD said today (August 12).

Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a Fire Safety Compliance Order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction.

Source: AI-generated images

Fatal traffic accident in Lantau South

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Lantau South this afternoon (September 15) in which a woman died.

At around 3pm, a 31-year-old mainland woman was riding a bicycle along Keung Shan Road towards Tai O. When riding downslope, she reportedly lost her balance and fell at a bend, subsequently being run over by a coach driven by a 59-year-old man travelling in the opposite direction.

Sustaining serious head injuries, the woman was certified dead at scene.

The driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.

Source: AI-generated images