7 Charged in Hong Kong's Wang Fu Court Fire, Deaths Linked to Substandard Materials and Doubled Costs

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven individuals and two companies in connection with the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fu Court apartment complex, which claimed the lives of 168 people. The charges, including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, target those involved in the renovation work that investigators believe led to the rapid spread of the blaze.

The accused include employees from design and supervision consultant Willpower Architects and main contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering. Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) allege serious breaches of duty and gross negligence in overseeing construction materials and procedures. Investigations revealed the use of non-fire-retardant safety nets and flammable plastic boards, along with the removal of stairwell windows that served as fire escape routes.

Further allegations point to fraud in the contractor selection process. Prestige allegedly concealed a history of litigation, while Willpower reportedly manipulated its assessment to favor Prestige. Authorities believe this led to the selection of a substandard contractor for the renovation project, compromising the building's safety.

The cost of the renovation also significantly increased, nearly doubling from an initial estimate of HK$152 million to HK$336 million. The ICAC highlighted that over HK$43.8 million in illicit profits were handled by Willpower executives, leading to charges of money laundering and tax evasion. The fire, which raged for 43 hours, destroyed seven of the eight residential blocks and was the deadliest in Hong Kong since a 1948 warehouse fire that killed 176 people.