Safety concerns or overreaction? Mourning candle outside Tai Po flat removed without notice

A candle placed outside a Tai Po public housing flat to mark the first seven days of mourning was removed without notice, sparking online outrage.

A social media post claimed estate management had collected the candle in the middle of the night and dumped it in the trash room. The photo showed a lit candle outside the flat’s gate, alongside a ceremonial container, meant to guide the spirit of a deceased family member home, as part of traditional Chinese mourning practices.

The poster criticized management for removing the candle without informing the household, questioning whether such a small flame posed any real fire hazard, and noting that in nearly 20 years, no fire had been linked to similar candles in Hong Kong.

Netizens were divided. Some supported the resident and urged understanding of traditional mourning practices, while others sympathized with management, citing safety concerns and the risk of blocked emergency exits—especially in the wake of the Wang Fuk Court fire, which claimed more than 150 lives and heightened public awareness of fire safety.

The story took a twist when the poster revealed he was the estate’s night-shift security guard. He said the previous management had instructed guards to place a fire extinguisher nearby and patrol, but not remove candles. The new supervisor ignored this guidance and ordered staff to clear the candle without notifying the household.

The candle’s owner later confirmed it had been discarded without warning, stressing that it was windproof. Following public attention, management reportedly revised its policy, requiring residents to place a bucket of water nearby and assigning guards to conduct hourly checks—balancing safety with respect for traditional practices.