Buildings Department Instigates Prosecutions in Relation to Repair Works Associated with Wang Fuk Court Fire Incident in Tai Po

Buildings Department instigates prosecutions in relation to repair works associated with Wang Fuk Court fire incident in Tai Po

The Buildings Department (BD) today (September 9) laid charges with a total of 259 offences against four persons and two companies in connection with the major building repair works at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, where a fire broke out on November 26 last year. The charges include allegedly permitting or authorizing to be used in the carrying out of building works materials which are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance (BO), permitting or authorizing the carrying out of building works and the inspection or works have been carried out in a manner that causes injury to any person or damage to any property, failing to properly supervise repair works and the like.

The Buildings Department, Photo source: reference image

"Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau have been sparing no effort in conducting investigation into the major repair works at the estate. The findings revealed that the registered inspector employed by the works consultancy firm had failed to properly supervise the prescribed repair works and failed to ensure that the building was safe or had been rendered safe. Moreover, during the course of the works, the main contractor and the works consultancy firm allegedly permitted or authorized the use of non-fire-retardant scaffold nets and canvases, and non-fire-retardant foam boards to block windows, as well as the removal of windows at the escape staircases to create openings for access, which were covered with non-fire-retardant materials. These caused the fire to spread rapidly and obstructed the means of escape, ultimately resulting in 168 deaths and 79 injuries," a spokesman for the BD said.

The main contractor and the works consultancy firm allegedly permitted or authorized the use of non-fire-retardant scaffold nets and canvases. Photo source: reference image

The removal of windows at the escape staircases to create openings for access, were covered with non-fire-retardant materials. Photo source: image from the investigation report

The two companies charged are the works consultancy firm, Will Power Architects Company Limited (Will Power), and the main contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, Limited (Prestige), involved in Wang Fuk Court's major building repair works. The four individuals charged include the director of Will Power, Wong Hap-yin, and the registered inspector employed by the company, Ng Yeuk; and the two directors of Prestige, Hau Wa-kin and Ho Kin-yip.

Wang Fuk Court is a Home Ownership Scheme estate and is regulated by the ICU of the Housing Bureau with the authority delegated under the BO. Based on the findings of the irregularities by the ICU and after seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the BD has charged a total of 259 offences against the two companies and the four persons under sections 40(2A)(a)(i), 40(2B), 40(2AE) and 40(2AF) of the BO.

The BD once again reminded contractors and relevant building works practitioners to properly supervise inspections and building works in accordance with the BO and its subsidiary regulations and the relevant Codes of Practice to ensure suitable materials are used and that the works are carried out safely.

"Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the BD has stepped up regulation, inspection, and enforcement. Specific measures include issuing Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 to require recognised test reports with results that meet the fire retardant performance standards prior to installation of scaffold nets, conducting audit checks; issuing circular letters to all registered contractors and registered professionals reiterating the need for full compliance with fire safety requirements, including installing fire-retardant scaffold nets that meet recognised standards, ensuring that windows are not covered and combustible materials must not be installed. The BD has also launched a special operation to inspect scaffold nets and fire safety measures at about 400 buildings undergoing large scale repair works across the territory. The BD has also put in place a measure of conducting surprise inspections of all sites of major building repair works at least once every six months. Furthermore, the Development Bureau plans to submit a bill to the Legislative Council by the end of this year to amend the BO, which will include strengthening the regulation of and increasing penalties in relation to major building repair works, as well as tightening the registration and disciplinary regimes for building professionals and contractors." the spokesman said.

Wang Fuk Court, Photo by Bastille Post

The BD removed Prestige from the register of general building contractors in February 2026 in accordance with the BO, after being notified by Prestige early this year that the company had ceased to be a registered general building contractor. The removal does not absolve the company and the relevant parties of criminal liability under the BO and other legal liabilities. Moreover, regardless of whether the registered building professionals concerned are convicted, the BD will refer the case to the relevant disciplinary boards for consideration of disciplinary sanction.

In accordance with section 40(2A)(a)(i) of the BO, any person directly concerned with minor works who permits or authorizes to be incorporated in or used in the carrying out of works any materials which are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the BO commits an offence. In accordance with section 40(2B), any person who carries out or authorizes or permits minor works to be carried out, in such a manner that it causes injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for up to 18 months.

In accordance with section 40(2AE), any registered inspector who fails to provide proper supervision of the carrying out of the prescribed repair that is minor works commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $150,000. In accordance with section 40(2AF), any registered inspector or registered general building contractor who fails to ensure that the building, for which they are appointed to supervise or carry out the prescribed repair that is minor works, is safe, or has been rendered safe commits an offence, and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for up to 18 months.

Wang Fuk Court, Photo by Bastille Post

DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements

In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:

Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.

Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.

The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.

According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.

The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.

Source: AI-found images