HONG KONG — The catastrophic five-alarm fire that engulfed the Hung Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po last week, leaving at least 151 people dead and many more unaccounted for following a 43-hour blaze, has led to criminal investigations focusing on fraudulent construction materials and alleged corporate negligence. Authorities announced Friday that samples of scaffolding netting recovered from the site strongly suggest non-flame retardant materials were systematically used to cut costs, an action officials immediately condemned as a callous pursuit of “petty profit” at the expense of human life.
Speaking at a joint press conference on December 1, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung confirmed that a pervasive pattern of safety fraud was uncovered during the post-fire investigation. Of the eight apartment blocks affected, investigators found seven samples of protective netting that failed to meet mandatory fire-retardant standards. Crucially, Tang noted that investigators discovered the rate of compliance dropped dramatically in areas difficult to access, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal the substandard material from official scrutiny.
The Timeline of Deception
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Commissioner Woo Ying-ming detailed the timeline of events, tracing the deception back to July. Following Typhoon Saola, which damaged the existing protective netting on the scaffolding around the eight blocks, involved parties allegedly purchased bulk quantities of cheaper, non-compliant netting to replace damaged sections.
Evidence presented by Woo indicated that approximately 75,000 square meters of substandard netting — enough to fully cover the entire Hung Fuk Court site — was purchased from a local supplier at a mere HK$54 per roll. This replacement effort established the widespread presence of flammable material.
The scheme allegedly intensified when a fire involving scaffolding nets occurred elsewhere in Central district in late October. Fearing inspection, the perpetrators then sought to “mix the fish eyes with the genuine pearls,” according to Woo. They purchased a small quantity (about 3,700 square meters) of compliant, fire-retardant netting at the market price of HK$100 per roll and strategically installed it in easily accessible areas, such as the ground-level building piles, successfully passing subsequent mandatory spot checks.
A shocking financial calculation underscores the alleged motivation: the cost difference between the massive quantity of substandard netting used and the equivalent amount of compliant netting was only about HK$105,800.
Officials Condemn Unlawful Conduct
Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki strongly condemned the illicit practice, describing the perpetrators’ scheme of hiding non-compliant material in hard-to-reach places as “tricky and deliberate.”
“For a difference of such a small amount, did they really want all citizens to take risks?” Chan asked rhetorically. He warned that if found guilty of manslaughter—a charge now being investigated—the penalty would entail a lengthy prison sentence, rendering the negligible cost savings entirely disproportionate to the crime.
“To gamble on manslaughter charges for petty profit is completely out of proportion,” Chan asserted, urging the building and construction industry to adhere strictly to all safety regulations.
Widespread Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The deadly inferno has triggered a massive joint investigation between the Hong Kong Police Force and the ICAC. Authorities confirmed a total of 14 people have been detained in connection with the case, with some individuals facing charges from both agencies.
Police Chief Superintendent Chan Tung specified that police have arrested 13 people—12 men and one woman aged 40 to 77—on suspicion of manslaughter. Those detained include personnel from the main contractors, project consultants, and specialized scaffolding subcontractors. The ICAC separately confirmed the arrest of 12 individuals linked to alleged corruption in the renovation project.
The focus now shifts to reviewing the evidence with the Department of Justice to determine formal charges. The investigation highlights critical gaps in the oversight of construction materials and underscores the devastating human cost when safety is compromised for financial gain. The full scope of the tragedy, including ongoing efforts to identify remains and provide support to the affected community, remains a priority for the government.
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