In response to the Wang Fuk Court fire, Hong Kong is taking decisive steps to ensure the safety of its residents. The government's response has been extensive, going beyond the resignation of a minister. It has provided support for displaced families, pursued legal action against those responsible and initiated significant changes in the oversight of building maintenance. The safety of the residents is at the center of these reforms.
The emergency response itself was substantial, with 581 fire appliances, 217 ambulances and 3,531 fire and ambulance personnel deployed. When the crisis broke out last November, government departments coordinated to provide accommodation and financial aid to more than 1,000 displaced households. This support continues as families make longer-term plans.
Displaced homeowners have been offered a choice between a cash buyout or a replacement home under a flat-for-flat arrangement, with rental assistance during the transition. Each affected household has a designated social worker to facilitate access to needed services, from housing decisions to counseling. Having someone to turn to makes the process easier.
By Oct 29, 94.8 percent of Wang Fuk Court owners had signed agreements under the government's acquisition scheme, providing them with much-needed certainty about their future housing options. This marks significant progress in addressing their long-term housing needs.
The independent committee's report on the fire, released on Oct 29, attributed its rapid spread to the use of noncompliant scaffolding nets and foam boards during renovation, as well as unauthorized openings in escape staircases. It highlighted suspected breaches by contractors and consultants, alongside failures in government oversight.
Criminal proceedings were already underway months before the report was released. In June, charges were filed against seven people and two companies, including serious offenses such as manslaughter. The Labour Department has initiated 25 prosecutions related to workplace safety, while the Buildings Department has filed 259 charges against four people and two companies, including those involving noncompliant materials. The Fire Services Department has also brought 12 prosecutions against one person and two companies over alleged fire safety violations.
The report also identified shortcomings within government departments — the Independent Checking Unit, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department — making 120 recommendations for improvement. A second-tier investigation under the Heads of Department Accountability System is underway, with the Public Service Commission investigating the conduct of 40 to 50 civil servants. Findings are expected within three months.
At the political level, Chief Executive John Lee and senior officials publicly apologized when the report was released on Oct 29. Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned a day earlier. Lee said that although Ho was not personally at fault, her bureau had regulatory responsibility for the estate. The State Council approved her removal on Nov 3, following Lee's recommendation.
The government acted swiftly, with criminal charges brought just over six months after the fire and the committee's report published within a year. In contrast, Britain's final report on the June 2017 Grenfell Tower fire was released more than seven years later in September 2024, with charges still pending. Hong Kong's prompt response is a testament to its commitment to accountability.
Proactive changes in safety rules began even before the inquiry concluded. New testing for fire-retardant scaffolding nets was introduced last December, a public consultation on amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance started in May, and smoking at construction sites was banned in July.
The broader reform program addresses systemic issues such as bid-rigging in the maintenance market and fragmented regulation that hampers effective response to residents' warnings. These problems, some predating the return to the motherland in 1997, underscore the need for comprehensive reform.
The government plans to criminalize bid-rigging in building maintenance and establish a joint task force comprising the police, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Competition Commission. A Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, expected to be set up before January 2027, aims to help owners organize tenders, assess bids and ensure proper supervision of work.
The government is also changing how it supervises work. The Housing Bureau will replace its Independent Checking Unit with a Public Housing Building Control Section this month, providing dedicated teams to oversee major maintenance projects and liaise with owners' corporations. A central data system will integrate inspection and complaint records across departments, facilitating better oversight.
The industry and the public also have a part to play. Community support during the crisis was exemplary, with residents lining up to donate blood, volunteers delivering supplies through the night and people opening their homes for the victims. That willingness to support one another can help make the government's building safety reforms work.
The government's housing arrangements and support services are helping affected families rebuild their lives. With public support, stronger oversight and professional guidance, homes across Hong Kong can become safer, ensuring a more secure future for all residents.
The author is a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.
