Worker Testifies No Smoking Observed at Tai Po Fire Site Amid Management Scrutiny
An independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades is focusing on the conduct of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation management committee. During recent hearings, a construction worker testified that smoking was prohibited on-site and no one was observed smoking, contradicting earlier concerns about lax regulation. Preliminary investigations revealed that Prestige Engineering and Construction, the contractor selected for multimillion-dollar renovations, used non-fire-retardant scaffolding mesh and flammable polyfoam boards, which significantly accelerated the blaze that claimed 168 lives last November. Residents have accused Tai Po district councillor Peggy Wong Pik-kiu of influencing the voting process to select this contractor. Additionally, two subcontractors admitted to failing to proactively regulate workers' smoking habits on the scaffolding. The inquiry aims to determine accountability for oversight failures within the management body and among contractors involved in the HK$336 million renovation project. This session highlights critical questions regarding safety compliance and potential political interference in housing management decisions.
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Worker Testifies No Smoking Observed at Tai Po Fire Site Amid Management Scrutiny
An independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades is focusing on the conduct of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation management committee. During recent hearings, a construction worker testified that smoking was prohibited on-site and no one was observed smoking, contradicting earlier concerns about lax regulation. Preliminary investigations revealed that Prestige Engineering and Construction, the contractor selected for multimillion-dollar renovations, used non-fire-retardant scaffolding mesh and flammable polyfoam boards, which significantly accelerated the blaze that claimed 168 lives last November. Residents have accused Tai Po district councillor Peggy Wong Pik-kiu of influencing the voting process to select this contractor. Additionally, two subcontractors admitted to failing to proactively regulate workers' smoking habits on the scaffolding. The inquiry aims to determine accountability for oversight failures within the management body and among contractors involved in the HK$336 million renovation project. This session highlights critical questions regarding safety compliance and potential political interference in housing management decisions.
News - South China Morning Post