HONG KONG, December 1 — Investigators tracing the origins of a catastrophic, 43-hour fire last week at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, which killed at least 151 residents, have uncovered evidence pointing to the deliberate use of substandard, non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting to cut costs. Speaking today, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung confirmed that seven material samples taken from the blaze site failed flame-resistance standards, suggesting a calculated attempt to deceive authorities by mixing compliant materials with cheaper, illegal alternatives.
The massive fire, classified as a Grade Five incident, the most severe on the local scale, has prompted a major corruption investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Commissioner Woo Ying-ming detailed a timeline of alleged misconduct, stating that following a typhoon in July, which damaged the original netting surrounding the eight buildings, those involved in the repair work purchased approximately 2,300 rolls—totaling 75,000 square meters—of replacement netting from a local supplier for just HK$54 per roll. Evidence suggests this bulk purchase, enough to cover the entire estate, was not flame-retardant.
The Deceptive Swap
The alleged conspiracy escalated in late October following a separate scaffolding fire in Central district, which raised fears of widespread government inspections. According to Woo, the suspects then hastily procured a smaller batch of 115 rolls (3,700 square meters) of compliant, fire-retardant material, paying a higher rate of HK$100 per roll.
These compliant nets were strategically installed in easily accessible, observable locations, particularly near the building base, known as “fish eyes,” intended to pass official compliance checks. Tang noted a disturbing pattern: samples collected from tough-to-reach areas—some requiring firefighters to manually rappel—were significantly more likely to fail safety checks than those taken from readily accessible spots.
Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki strongly condemned the alleged actions, calling the scheme “cunning” and an act of premeditated criminality. He pointed out the staggering imbalance between the meager financial gain and the horrific loss of life. Calculations based on figures provided by the ICAC show that the total cost difference between purchasing the entirely compliant netting for the entire project and the substandard batch was only about HK$105,800 (approximately US$13,500).
“This is not a proportional risk,” Chan asserted, warning that individuals found guilty of such profound negligence could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted of manslaughter. “Is it worth risking the lives of all citizens for such a trivial saving?” he questioned, urging the construction industry to adhere strictly to safety regulations.
Legal Ramifications and Arrests
The ICAC confirmed that a full-scale corruption investigation has been launched into the maintenance project at Wang Fuk Court. To date, 12 individuals have been arrested, including project consultants, contractors, and scaffolding foremen. Separately, police and the ICAC are reviewing evidence with the Department of Justice to determine whether charges, potentially including manslaughter, are warranted.
The tragedy underscores critical failings in the oversight of construction and maintenance materials, particularly in densely populated housing complexes. Investigators continue to search for missing persons, while the recovery operation moves into its next phase, focusing on accountability for one of the city’s deadliest recent structural fires. The government has pledged full transparency in the investigation, promising justice for the victims and their families.
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