Hong Kong officials want to expand oversight of building maintenance after deadly fire

Hong Kong officials proposed a comprehensive reform of building maintenance oversight and fire safety measures on Wednesday, responding to a catastrophic blaze last November that claimed at least 161 lives and displaced thousands of residents.

The devastating fire, which spread across seven towers in the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about corruption, negligence, and inadequate government supervision in Hong Kong’s building maintenance industry. The tragedy has placed significant pressure on the administration of Hong Kong leader John Lee and raised questions about the effectiveness of Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance system for the city.

Addressing the newly elected legislature at its first session, Lee acknowledged the fire exposed critical gaps in the regulatory framework. “We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee stated, promising that investigations by law enforcement agencies and a judge-led independent committee would be thorough and impartial.

The administration’s reform proposals focus heavily on combating bid-rigging, a practice suspected to be widespread in the building maintenance industry. Under the new plan, the Urban Renewal Authority would take on an expanded role in assisting homeowners with contractor selection processes.

One key proposal involves creating a preselected list of consultants and contractors who have undergone official background checks and received positive reviews from previous clients. The Urban Renewal Authority would also play a more active role in tendering and bid evaluation, providing expertise that individual homeowners may lack.

For major renovation projects, the government has proposed mandatory third-party professional supervision to ensure compliance with safety standards and building codes. Additionally, the reforms would require fire department approval before any shutdown of critical fire safety installations during maintenance work.

In a direct response to factors that contributed to the November tragedy, officials have proposed a complete smoking ban on all construction sites. Legislation for this particular measure is expected to be submitted for the legislature’s review within weeks, while discussions continue with the Urban Renewal Authority regarding implementation of the other proposals.

Initial investigations into the Wang Fuk Court fire have identified substandard netting and foam boards installed during renovations as significant contributors to the rapid spread of the blaze. Authorities also reported that some fire alarms failed to function during post-incident testing, highlighting the potentially catastrophic consequences of inadequate safety systems.

The Wang Fuk Court disaster has triggered widespread concern among Hong Kong residents and experts. Political analysts and urban safety observers have warned that this tragedy could represent just the “tip of an iceberg” in a city dominated by high-rise architecture. The dense urban environment, combined with aging building stock in many neighborhoods, creates particular vulnerability to fire hazards when safety standards are compromised.

Public anxiety has grown as suspicions emerge about similar bid-rigging and the use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates throughout the territory. Many residents fear that without substantial reform, similar disasters could occur in other densely populated residential complexes.

The government’s response comes at a critical moment for Hong Kong, as the city continues to navigate political changes under increased mainland Chinese influence while confronting urgent public safety concerns that affect millions of residents living in high-rise buildings.