HONG KONG — Two weeks after a devastating five-alarm fire ravaged three blocks of Kwong Fuk Estate in Tai Po, housing authorities and structural engineers are accelerating repair and support work, signaling the beginning of a complex rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, regulatory bodies are implementing immediate, stringent new safety checks on construction sites across the city to prevent a recurrence of the disaster.
The Housing Department, in coordination with the police, announced that the severely burned external scaffolding on Kwong Hong House, Kwong Tai House, and Kwong San House will begin to be dismantled this Friday, June 12. Structural stabilization efforts are ongoing, with specialized teams from the Housing Bureau’s Independent Verification Unit performing critical reinforcement on the most damaged homes, including injecting cement grout into concrete walls and installing temporary structural supports for floor slabs.
Regulatory Crackdown on Construction Safety
In a swift response to concerns over construction material safety following the inferno, the Buildings Department is rolling out new mandates for all active building sites. This week, the department will publish a new protocol requiring contractors to conduct on-site sampling and verification of scaffolding netting before installation to ensure compliance with quality standards.
This move follows immediate inspections of scaffolding structures at four separate subsidized housing estates (Yee Kok Court, On Ki Court, Sui Wo Court, and Ching Lai Court) and one public rental estate (Fung Wah Estate). Officials confirmed that contractors have already complied with initial orders to clear any debris from the existing scaffolding. The goal of the heightened scrutiny is to ensure external wall repair projects can resume safely and swiftly.
Separately, the Labour Department has significantly intensified inspections targeting fire safety and emergency response readiness at sites with large scaffolding structures. To date, the department has inspected 404 construction sites, issuing 210 written warnings and 104 rectification notices, leading to 25 prosecutions for safety violations.
Enhanced Financial and Housing Aid Mobilized
The government has substantially increased financial support for affected residents and victims’ families. The living allowance provided to each affected household has doubled from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000. As of today, 1,717 household cases have been processed for this aid.
Furthermore, solace payments for the deceased have been dispersed, with families receiving HK$200,000 for bereavement and an additional HK$50,000 for funeral expenses. Authorities have processed 109 such cases so far and are continuing the payment rollout.
Housing relief is critical, with thousands of residents displaced. As of the latest update, 1,435 residents are accommodated in temporary facilities coordinated by the Home Affairs and Youth Bureau, including youth hostels, camps, and hotel rooms. An additional 2,677 residents have been placed in transitional housing units or flats managed by the Hong Kong Housing Society.
Reflecting the progress in relocation, the temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre has ceased operations after all occupants transitioned to more stable emergency housing. A second temporary center, located at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall, will remain open until all remaining users have also been moved to arranged accommodations. The coordinated effort on multiple fronts—from structural repair and stringent enforcement to financial aid—underscores the government’s commitment to recovery following the devastating fire.
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