Two contractors implicated in alleged misconduct connected to a fatal fire in Tai Po last November remain operational and continue to accept new contracts, authorities and lawmakers confirmed, raising questions about public safety and regulatory enforcement.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court, which marked one of the deadliest blazes in the city in recent decades, sparked an investigation into the roles of China Status Development and Engineering and Victory Fire Engineering. An evidential hearing held as part of an independent inquiry revealed that both firms were involved in deactivating the estate’s fire alarm and hose reel systems prior to the incident. The inquiry accused China Status of issuing numerous shutdown notices for firefighting systems— reportedly acting as a “rubber stamp” for renovation contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering—while Victory Fire was criticized for not notifying authorities or attempting to reactivate the systems after discovering they had been shut off a week before the fire.
Despite the investigation concluding recently, no disciplinary action has been finalized. The Fire Services Department (FSD) stated it has referred the cases to the disciplinary board for further proceedings but has not provided a timeline for resolution. The board, under the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations, holds the authority to temporarily or permanently revoke the licenses of registered fire service installation contractors found guilty of misconduct or negligence.
Both China Status and Victory Fire remain listed as licensed contractors on the FSD website. A recent check by a reporter posing as a client confirmed that Victory Fire is actively accepting new contracts, including annual inspections and equipment replacements. China Status indicated it no longer performs annual inspections but is open to orders for replacement products such as fire extinguishers. Neither company responded to official comment requests.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the continued operation of these firms amid unresolved investigations. Scott Leung Man-kwong described the situation as unsatisfactory, warning that ongoing investigations could lead to license suspensions that might interrupt critical fire safety projects. He urged the government to establish a mechanism for temporary suspension, allowing contractors under scrutiny to complete existing work but preventing them from undertaking new contracts. Michelle Tang Ming-sum echoed these concerns, highlighting potential safety risks and calling for greater transparency, including the publication of a list identifying companies currently under investigation so that homeowners remain informed.
The broader context of fire safety enforcement also shows challenges. FSD data indicated that between April and July, 98 fire hazard abatement notices were issued for firefighting systems deactivated for more than 60 days. The period allowed for system shutdowns was reduced in April to a maximum of 60 days. While repairs in 619 cases were completed within this timeframe and 948 ongoing projects remained compliant, fire industry observers suggest the volume of prolonged deactivations is still significant.
Fire consultant Leung Kam-tak noted that the persistence of lengthy system shutdowns points to inadequate deterrents under the new rules. Conversely, Franky Ching Chi-ming, director of a licensed fire services contractor, argued that the drop in long-term deactivations reflects progress, attributing remaining cases to necessary, complex repairs such as underground pipeline replacements.
The ongoing scrutiny of fire service contractors and regulatory responses follow deep concerns about safeguarding residents and maintaining vital fire protection infrastructure.