The Fire Services Department (FSD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Buildings Department (BD) conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting licensed premises yesterday (February 11) to inspect the fire safety conditions of a total of 30 food premises in Causeway Bay and Yuen Long, with a view to ensuring public safety.

     During the operation, the FSD personnel identified multiple violations of the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation (Cap. 95F), including two cases of obstruction of means of escape, one case of wedged-open smoke stop doors, as well as 11 cases of fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) not being kept in efficient working order due to defects, removal or obstruction. The department took immediate enforcement action and issued 14 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices regarding the irregularities.

     The officers of the FEHD issued verbal warnings to seven licensed restaurants, requested them to rectify the situations for failing to meet licensing conditions due to poor hygiene conditions and maintenance of the premises and equipment. The licences will be cancelled if the violations continue. Moreover, the BD has preliminarily identified that the layouts of 14 food premises did not tally with the corresponding licensed plans. The BD, in collaboration with the FEHD (i.e. the licensing authority), is currently conducting further investigations. If any breaches of licensing conditions are established, the FEHD will also take appropriate enforcement action.

     Besides enforcement work, the fire personnel also carried out fire prevention publicity and education on common fire hazards and preventive measures for persons-in-charge of the relevant food premises, tenants and property management staff during the operation. The FSD emphasises that licensed premises have a high density of people and thus a relatively high fire risk. Licensees must bear the responsibility for fire safety, ensuring the means of escape are unobstructed, smoke stop doors remain closed at all times, and annual inspections and proper maintenance of FSIs are carried out as required by law. The FSD will continue to ensure the fire safety of licensed premises through interdepartmental collaboration and jointly build a safer community.

Ends/Thursday, February 12, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:15

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