Buildings Department instigates prosecutions in relation to repair works associated with Wang Fuk Court fire incident in Tai Po
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"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 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.
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.
Ends/Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:33
Issued at HKT 21:33
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