Gov’t agencies ‘failed in their duties’ despite complaints about renovation project, ex-member of estate board says

A former member of the Wang Fuk Court owners' board has delivered damning testimony, asserting that government agencies "failed in their duties" despite numerous complaints about the renovation project that preceded the deadly fire. Jason Kong, speaking at the hearing into the blaze that claimed 168 lives, highlighted the use of flammable materials as a major warning sign that was seemingly ignored by authorities.

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There were so many warning signs, and the enforcement agencies failed in their duties.

Kong's account directly challenges the effectiveness of regulatory oversight, suggesting that proactive patrols and follow-ups by enforcement agencies could have averted the tragedy. He specifically mentioned raising safety concerns about the protective nets used in the renovation to the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit (ICU), but received an unsatisfactory response regarding their fire-retardant properties.

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I urged the enforcement agencies to conduct patrols proactively and follow up on the matter.

The testimony underscores a deep-seated frustration among residents and former board members regarding the handling of safety issues. The ongoing hearings, chaired by a judge, aim to uncover the full extent of negligence and systemic failures. The refusal of key figures from the construction companies and property management to testify further fuels public distrust and demands for accountability.

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If they… had done this earlier, the whole blaze could have been averted… I did what I could have possibly.