Renovation consultant knew a week before gov’t inspections, proxy votes ‘very common,’ Tai Po blaze inquiry hears
The construction consultant knew about government inspections one week before, a property management company employee has told a public inquiry into the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire. Lok Sin-ying, a clerk of ISS EastPoint Properties, which managed the housing estate in Tai Po, said on Wednesday that she got the impression from meetings hosted by […]
A public inquiry into the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po has revealed that the construction consultant involved in the estate's renovation was aware of upcoming government inspections a week in advance. Lok Sin-ying, a clerk at ISS EastPoint Properties, which managed the housing estate, testified that she had heard from meetings hosted by the estate owners' corporation that the renovation consultant had frequent exchanges with government staff.
During the hearing, Lok was asked by lawyer Jeffrey Tam, representing a group of Wang Fuk Court residents, how many days before the inspections the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit (ICU) would typically inform Will Power Architects, the consultant overseeing the estate's renovation. Lok recalled that in meetings related to the renovation project, people from Will Power mentioned multiple times, "Next week, Amanda will come to our estate." She believed Amanda Lau was a government official.
The fire, which occurred in late November, engulfed seven of the estate's buildings, resulting in the tragic loss of 168 lives. On the first day of the hearing, Senior Counsel Victor Dawes, the lead lawyer for the independent committee investigating the tragedy, stated that the ICU had disclosed advanced details of safety checks to Will Power, which allegedly alerted Prestige Construction, the main contractor. Dawes also noted that according to WhatsApp records dated October 27—a month before the fire—ICU maintenance surveyor Amanda Lau texted Will Power employee Yeung Chi-man to arrange an inspection.
The inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the fire, including potential miscommunication between the government, the consultant, and the contractor. Residents and their lawyers are seeking answers about how the tragedy could have been prevented and who bears responsibility for the lapses that led to the disaster.
The revelation that the consultant was aware of the inspections in advance raises questions about the transparency of the communication between government agencies and private contractors. It also highlights the need for stricter oversight and coordination to ensure that safety protocols are followed during large-scale renovation projects in residential areas.
The hearing is expected to continue as the committee delves deeper into the complex web of relationships and communications between the various parties involved. As the inquiry progresses, it will be crucial to determine whether any negligence or misconduct occurred and to identify any systemic issues that contributed to the fire.
The Wang Fuk Court tragedy has left the Hong Kong public seeking accountability and transparency. The inquiry is a vital step towards understanding the events that led to the fire and ensuring that similar disasters are prevented in the future. As the hearing continues, the focus will remain on uncovering the truth and holding those responsible to account.
