Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

We failed to check if workers smoked at Wang Fuk Court, firms tell fire hearing

16 Apr 2026 - 8:12PMvideocam

Tai Po fire probe: resident recalls deaths of family members – as it happened

16 Apr 2026 - 3:22PM

Tai Po blaze: official defends refusing mainland Chinese firefighters’ help

Mainland counterparts may not have adapted to local environment nor communicated effectively, Hong Kong fire services officer says at hearing.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:40PM

Teams of firefighters battling the blaze in Tai Po on the night of November 26. Photo: Eugene Lee

Mainland China

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:39PM

100‑metre ladders ‘unsuitable’ for narrow Hong Kong roads, Tai Po fire probe told

Fire Services Department explains its choice of equipment to fight blaze, while police stress buildings were thoroughly searched for survivors.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:52PM

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong retiree gets 1 year in jail for seditious social media comments

Raymond Chong, 61, pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court to knowingly publishing 53 seditious Facebook posts that denigrated central and local authorities.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:45PM

The court knocked six months off Raymond Chong’s 18-month sentence in recognition of his guilty plea. Photo: Jelly Tse

Firefighters prioritised tackling blaze over rescues, Tai Po probe hears

‘If you cannot put out the fire, how can you save those trapped inside?’ commander tells committee investigating Wang Fuk Court disaster.

13 Apr 2026 - 7:54PM

Tai Po fire probe: no commander to track firefighters’ entry records – as it happened

Committee chair says firefighters’ efforts during blaze will always be appreciated regardless of inquiry outcome, adding most faced unprecedented situation.

13 Apr 2026 - 4:51PM

380 Wang Fuk Court households seek second visit to collect belongings

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says authorities will assess requests after first round of visits from April 20 to May 4.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:17PM

Wang Fuk Court was engulfed in flames last Novembe. Under the current arrangement, displaced residents can send at most four people to retrieve their belongings for up to three hours. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong proposes mandatory renovation briefings to combat bid-rigging

Amendment to Building Management Ordinance aimed at enhancing homeowners’ participation and closing existing legal gaps after fatal Tai Po fire.

11 Apr 2026 - 7:09PM

Authorities have proposed legal reforms to tighten building management rules after the deadly fire in Tai Po exposed flaws and bid‑rigging risks. Photo: Jelly Tse

Tai Po blaze: no fire risk checks done for HK$336 million estate renovation

Authorities did not pay special attention to fire hazards at residential estates undergoing large-scale maintenance before deadly fire, official says.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:02PM

Hong Kong authorities spend HK$34 million on Tai Po fire recovery works

Expenditure mainly covers removal of dangerous scaffolding and nets, and support to police and other departments in clearing debris.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:31PM

Day 10 of probe: fire department admits delays, ‘inadequate’ safety checks

Assistant director of Fire Services Department says shutting down fire systems not necessary for draining rooftop tanks.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:05PM

The fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 residents. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong courts

Cook jailed for 11 months over selling account used to dupe Tai Po fire donors

Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.

9 Apr 2026 - 6:56PM

The West Kowloon Court building. The defence said Cham Shu-shing, a father of one, was unemployed at the time of the crime and needed to earn quick cash. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong fires and safety

Alleged petition forgery investigated as Wang Fuk Court rebuild plan rejected

Property owners had organised petition and emailed Hop On Management Company to raise concerns and request owners’ meeting.

9 Apr 2026 - 10:42PM

Tai Po blaze: no fire safety system checks before firm sent 85 shutdown notices

Fire services company also concedes it acted as ‘rubber stamp’ for renovation contractor, during hearing into deadly inferno.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:36PM

Some Wang Fuk Court residents float ‘profit-making’ in-situ rebuilding plan

Proposal calls for rebuilding half of estate’s eight blocks with higher plot ratio, suggesting government can earn HK$6.4 billion.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:50PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court last November killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 others. Photo: Jelly Tse

Tai Po probe: no on-site checks by firm due to ‘busy’ schedule – as it happened

Director of contractor responsible for estate’s fire services equipment suspects workers drew water from tanks, calling it a serious problem.

8 Apr 2026 - 6:31PM

Mainland China

‘Wang Fuk Court briefing to give residents answers before decisions are made’

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says issues can be more easily addressed at briefing, allowing residents to understand the details better.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM

Talk about death comes alive in ageing Hong Kong

Minimal Funeral founder Pasu Ng says people more willing to discuss death in wake of the Covid pandemic, mass emigration and deadly Tai Po fire.

5 Apr 2026 - 11:25PM

Minimal Funeral founder Pasu Ng in his booth at the retirement expo. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong fires and safety

‘From big renovation to big burial’: Wang Fuk Court residents mourn on Ching Ming

Day dedicated to sweeping graves and honouring dead marked across Hong Kong, but tradition proves painful for survivors of deadly blaze in Tai Po.

5 Apr 2026 - 11:31PM

Mr Yau and Mrs Yau, residents of Wang Chi House at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, returned to the estate to mourn their lost neighbours. Photo: Denise Tsang

Opinion | Tai Po fire hearings reveal broken promises to Hongkongers

The hearings have exposed gaps in the enforcement of safety rules and an attitude of avoiding blame among government departments.

5 Apr 2026 - 2:30PMvideocam

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

A multimedia guide to the Tai Po fire

4 Apr 2026 - 2:20PM

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

A multimedia guide to the Tai Po fire

10 Apr 2026 - 12:42PM

Seeking answers to a tragedy Hong Kong could have avoided

Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | Moves to clean up Hong Kong building renovation sector can’t come too soon

Crackdowns by the ICAC and Competition Commission are a timely reminder of Hong Kong’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

4 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

The damaged buildings of Wang Fuk Court (right) in Tai Po are seen on March 27. The Competition Commission has launched proceedings targeting alleged corruption and anti-competitive practices in the bids for several projects, including one linked to the Wang Fuk Court inferno. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Operation Santa Claus: Maxim’s ramps up fundraising for Tai Po fire victims

Restaurant conglomerate also encourages employees and their families to volunteer at elderly care homes to foster a stronger sense of community.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:25PM