Post by : Saif Rahman

Hong Kong is grappling with a profound tragedy following the catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court, marking the city’s deadliest inferno in seventy years, claiming at least 128 lives and leaving numerous individuals unaccounted for. This incident is even more harrowing for the residents who had been voicing their safety fears for over a year, drawing attention to hazardous renovation activities within the community. Families express their anguish over having their alarms disregarded and are now demanding thorough investigations into the failures that led to this disaster. Concerns were raised regarding the use of combustible materials during renovations, particularly the green mesh draping the bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings. Despite assurances from the Labour Department last year about the mesh’s flame-retardant qualities, police investigations suggest the materials employed, which included plastic sheets and water-resistant tarpaulins, likely did not conform to safety regulations. As a result, three individuals tied to the renovation contractor, Prestige Construction, are under arrest on manslaughter charges. The failed contractor, which secured a significant HK$330 million renovation project set for early 2024, has yet to address the public’s inquiries since the fire.

The events of Wednesday sent shockwaves throughout the entire metropolis. Firefighters were alerted at 2:51 p.m., but within moments, the flames had advanced up the scaffolding and infiltrated the structure. In fewer than five minutes, the blaze extended from one tower to multiple others. Dense smoke rapidly enveloped the building, complicating rescue operations. Within four hours, seven out of eight towers were engulfed in flames. Hundreds of residents were forced to relocate to emergency shelters, and approximately 200 individuals remained missing the following day. Fire safety experts equate the rapid spread of this fire to the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster in London, where numerous casualties occurred due to highly flammable exterior materials. Jiang Liming, a specialist from the Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, noted that the Wang Fuk Court’s fire spread similarly—originating from the outer surface and penetrating through windows and gaps into living spaces.

Concerns escalated further as law enforcement revealed the presence of foam insulation around the complex that might have accelerated the fire’s spread. Local residents had previously raised alarms about this foam. Some even shared photographs online last year, cautioning that the window insulation was flammable. The foam ignites rapidly and emits toxic smoke, prompting serious inquiries about its installation in a residential environment. One resident recounted how the foam obstructed his elderly parents’ view of the approaching flames, forcing them to escape only after he alerted them. Others voice concerns that the reliance on cheap, unsafe materials indicates deeper issues—namely, inadequate contractor oversight and insufficient enforcement of construction safety regulations.

For several months, the homeowners’ committee and residents have voiced concerns in meetings regarding various issues, including aging fire hoses, malfunctioning alarm systems, broken extinguishers, and fire water inlets in need of repair. Additionally, there were inquiries about potential violations of fire safety rules concerning solar panels atop the building. It remains uncertain whether these concerns were ever adequately addressed. Since the catastrophic event, building management has not responded to numerous attempts for communication via calls, emails, or messages.

Another troubling element involves reports about construction workers seen smoking near the bamboo scaffolding. A former resident provided video evidence of a worker smoking adjacent to renovation materials and claimed to have sent this evidence to the management earlier in the year, but no actions were taken. This raises additional questions regarding the enforcement of safety measures during renovation activities. The Labour Department reported conducting 16 site inspections and issued multiple improvement notices to the contractor, including three legal actions. However, the department has not disclosed what penalties were invoked or if any modifications were enacted by the contractor.

In the aftermath of this catastrophic fire, Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, announced plans to reassess the enduring practice of using bamboo scaffolding, a traditional method for decades. Emergency inspections are currently underway citywide to ensure that scaffolding and protective coverings comply with safety standards. Despite these efforts, many families feel these measures have come too late, arguing that an earlier response might have averted this disaster.

The emotional toll on families still searching for missing members is immense. One bereaved man was seen crying outside the building, lamenting that his wife remains trapped inside. Another woman shared her fears for her 72-year-old mother, whose whereabouts are still unknown. This tragedy has prompted widespread anger and sorrow, with the community questioning whether building safety regulations were genuinely prioritized or if monetary gain and convenience overshadowed human safety. As investigations proceed, there is a growing demand for accountability and comprehensive reforms to prevent such a calamity from recurring.

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