HONG KONG — A catastrophic blaze that swept through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex—marking Hong Kong’s most devastating fire in decades—has sparked widespread concern and renewed scrutiny of how the building’s large–scale renovation project was handled. With at least 128 lives lost, the community is searching for answers regarding oversight, safety protocols, and the decisions made long before the flames erupted.
The fire ignited on Wednesday afternoon in the northern suburbs, quickly spreading across seven of the development’s eight high-rise towers. The massive complex housed approximately 4,800 residents, many of whom had reportedly voiced worries about renovation work as early as the previous year. Those concerns, once quietly discussed among residents, have now become a central focus of public attention.
Authorities have moved swiftly in the aftermath. On Wednesday, police detained three individuals connected to a construction firm involved in the renovation efforts, citing potential serious professional misconduct. Although initially released on bail, the three were subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which indicated that their management role in the renovation process required further scrutiny. ICAC previously apprehended seven men and one woman also linked to the project, expanding the scope of the investigation.
While police have not publicly named the company, documents available on the homeowners association’s website show that Prestige Construction & Engineering Company oversaw the renovation work. Officers have removed boxes of records from the company’s offices, though attempts to reach the firm by phone have gone unanswered.
Officials are also reviewing materials used during the renovation, including the scaffolding netting and foam panels installed around windows. Investigators are looking closely at whether these materials contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
As the community grieves and awaits further updates, the tragedy has prompted urgent calls for transparency, accountability, and stronger safety measures to prevent anything similar from happening again.
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