Government officials on Wednesday outlined a series of new enforcement and legislative measures in response to the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, including fixed penalties for blocking fire escapes and stricter controls over the shutdown of fire safety installations, as the Eighth Legislative Council held its first meeting of the term.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung told lawmakers that 22 people have been arrested so far in connection with the blaze, including 16 suspects linked to manslaughter and six linked to fraud. Police have also detained eight people for allegedly exploiting the tragedy to commit fraud.
He added that investigations are continuing into suspected fake scaffolding certificates, with the Independent Commission Against Corruption having arrested 14 people on suspicion of corruption.
Tang said the government has rolled out a combination of immediate actions and longer-term reforms, including the formation of professional inspection teams to carry out comprehensive checks on fire safety installations at buildings undergoing major renovation works. So far, 250 high-risk buildings have been inspected.
Authorities have also tightened requirements for alerting residents when key fire installations are out of service, mandating that notices be posted at prominent locations and on all affected equipment.
Tang said the government plans to introduce new legislation, including a fixed-penalty system, to deal swiftly with clear-cut violations such as blocking fire escape routes. Mandatory prior approval will also be required before major firefighting installations can be shut down, along with additional fire safety measures to be specified by the Fire Services Department.
Penalties for registered contractors who issue false or misleading certificates for firefighting installations and equipment will be significantly increased from the current maximum fine of HK$50,000 and could include imprisonment, Tang said.
He added that the government also plans to upgrade firefighting equipment, drawing on experience from the mainland and overseas.
The proposals include the introduction of advanced technologies and large-scale firefighting equipment, the use of big data and artificial intelligence to improve response planning, and closer cooperation on rescue operations within the Greater Bay Area.
Separately, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the government will move to legislate a total ban on smoking at construction sites.
He said the Labour Department has begun drafting amendments to impose clear legal responsibilities on main contractors, subcontractors and all workers on site to reduce fire risks associated with smoking.
The government aims to submit the amendment bill to the Legislative Council within the next few weeks, Sun said.
