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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Latest news and updates on the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district that killed 168 people, including a firefighter. Scores of people were also hurt.

Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po

Bank of China account: 012 8752 190 1597

Hong Kong Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org.hk/en/index.html

Operation Santa Claus Emergency Appeal

https://oschk.org/

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council

https://www.skhwc.org.hk/en/

Hong Kong Family Welfare Society

https://www.hkfws.org.hk/en/home

Po Leung Kuk

https://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en

Feeding Hong Kong

https://feedinghk.org/

Residential buildings in West Kowloon. The new pre-qualified lists aim to help property owners select qualified professionals for building maintenance work. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to bar firms with integrity offences from building renovation lists

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says applications to pre-qualify will open next Wednesday and lists rolled out by year-end.

22 Sep 2026 - 8:45PM

Hong Kong society

Top official to determine responsible department in complex 1823 cases

21 Sep 2026 - 6:52PM

John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong leader pledges building maintenance reforms after fatal Tai Po fire

16 Sep 2026 - 8:36PM

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong court winds up Wang Fuk Court renovation consultant over debt

Will Power Architects, involved in HK$336 million renovation project at estate, is ordered wound up after failing to oppose creditor’s application.

16 Sep 2026 - 4:39PM

Will Power Architects, which was involved in the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court, has been wound up. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong

85% of Wang Fuk Court owners sign sale deals as flat selection moves ahead

Housing Bureau holds computerised ballot to set flat-selection order, posts results online as rehousing scheme moves into next phase.

15 Sep 2026 - 7:43PM

Hong Kong housing

Letters | Ensuring building safety in Hong Kong an uphill struggle

Readers discuss efforts to reduce shoddy work in building renovation, signs on expressways, and classic Hong Kong comedy films.

13 Sep 2026 - 11:30AM

Hong Kong economy

In Focus | Why softer focus on national security in Hong Kong’s 5-year plan won’t happen

Experts expect John Lee’s policy address to set ambitious governance agenda on various social and economic issues, but security will underpin them all.

10 Sep 2026 - 8:57AM

Hong Kong

Buildings Department files 259 charges over work at fire-ravaged Hong Kong estate

Charges against two firms, four individuals relate to alleged use of substandard materials and failure to properly supervise repairs.

10 Sep 2026 - 12:28AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Letters | Bid-rigging isn’t new. Hong Kong must revisit old complaints

Readers discuss reforms to the system around building renovation projects, and a lesson from Zhu Rongji’s life.

6 Sep 2026 - 11:30AM

Hong Kong housing

75.8% of flat owners at block unscathed by Tai Po fire agree to sell

Housing Bureau says 188 households at Wang Chi House have signed sale and purchase agreements as part of buy-back scheme.

3 Sep 2026 - 6:54PM

Wang Chi House was the only block to be spared the worst of the fire at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Deal reached on Wang Fuk Court flats clears the way for recovery

Resolving resettlement for most Tai Po fire victims now paves the way for the next essential step towards closure: full accountability.

3 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Wang Chi House of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as seen on August 31. The high take-up rate of the buyout offer is an endorsement of the government’s approach to help survivors rebuild their homes elsewhere. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong courts

Couple who survived Tai Po fire await trial for fraud, cannot leave Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents allegedly obtained more than HK$330,000 in government-backed loans by overstating drop in revenue of their business.

1 Sep 2026 - 3:28PM

Hong Kong

Nearly all Wang Fuk Court owners accept deal, leaving 17 holdouts as offer ends

17 of 1,984 Wang Fuk Court owners fail to accept offer as deadline ends, facing compulsory acquisition at lower compensation levels.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:34PM

Hong Kong

Hong Kong gives 45 Wang Fuk Court holdouts final call on buyout scheme

As of noon on Sunday, 1,939 of estate’s 1,984 flat owners have submitted acceptance letters, while 77.7 per cent have signed sale and purchase agreements.

30 Aug 2026 - 9:48PM

A view of the blaze-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Under the acquisition scheme, the government will buy flats at HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot, depending on whether the land premium has been paid. Photo: Jelly Tse

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school opens at new Tai Po campus after deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

Nearly 600 Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils to begin new term at renovated campus after months of disruption split across two temporary sites.

29 Aug 2026 - 6:34PM

Pupils and teachers at Tai Po Baptist Public School visit the new campus at Fu Shin Estate after months of temporary classes following the Wang Fuk Court fire. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Why some Wang Fuk Court owners have refused buy-back deal even as deadline nears

While acquisition price for flats at fire-ravaged estate is seen as generous, about 3.5 per cent of homeowners have not accepted offer.

30 Aug 2026 - 9:17PM

Hong Kong

Hong Kong rules out Wang Fuk Court buy-back extension as 100 owners hesitate

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong warns of ‘substantially lower’ compensation at later stage if government uses legal means to acquire flats.

23 Aug 2026 - 8:16PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Government still weighing decision on restricting proxy voters, official says

Proposed changes to law on buildings management meant to combat bid-rigging but limits to proxy votes could be too strict, home affairs director says.

22 Aug 2026 - 8:45PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court, Hong Kong’s deadliest in decades, killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 others last November. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong society

Inquiry’s final report into deadly Hong Kong fire delayed until end of October

Panel says it has asked Chief Executive John Lee for deadline extension, citing complexity of issues and large volume of documents it must review.

18 Aug 2026 - 4:31PM

Hong Kong

Supplier says subcontractor ordered non-fire-retardant nets before Tai Po blaze

Documents released by independent panel investigating the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze detail Gain Profit’s orders for non-compliant nets.

13 Aug 2026 - 8:27PM

Hong Kong

Lawmakers flag gaps in proposed building management rules after Tai Po fire

Tightening proxy votes and strengthening oversight are moves in ‘correct’ direction, but legislators cite potential drawbacks and loopholes.

13 Aug 2026 - 7:42PM

Last November's fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 others. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | John Lee is right about local governance. Now he must deliver

Fixing Hong Kong’s district management in the wake of the devastating Tai Po fire is the next test for the chief executive.

10 Aug 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong

8% of Wang Fuk Court owners yet to accept buy-back as deadline looms

Asked whether government will turn to legal means to acquire remaining flats, chief executive says decision will be made at later stage.

9 Aug 2026 - 8:53PM

Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

Tai Po inquiry sheds more light on final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho

Government-appointed independent committee releases interim investigation report from separate task force, including images of Ho’s gear.

8 Aug 2026 - 11:25AM

Hong Kong economy

How a Hong Kong luxury estate saved HK$1b in renovation cost with tech solutions

Ex-CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo Allen Ha says ‘homegevity’ model of targeted, consistent repairs can spare homeowners major renovation work.

6 Aug 2026 - 1:16PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong tests thermal drones to catch illegal smoking at construction sites

Labour Department says AI will be added later to help identify smoking workers.

5 Aug 2026 - 4:54PM

Hong Kong

Exclusive | 2 fire service contractors linked to Tai Po tragedy still in business

Lawmakers concerned about public safety and potential project abandonment as SCMP investigation reveals China Status and Victory Fire’s active status.

3 Aug 2026 - 8:00AM

Hong Kong fires and safety

Contractor’s 2 directors deny all allegations in Tai Po fire witness statements

Independent committee investigating Wang Fuk Court fire also releases statement by district councillor previously criticised by residents.

30 Jul 2026 - 2:07AMvideocam

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong to bar firms with integrity offences from building renovation lists

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn says applications to pre-qualify will open next Wednesday and lists rolled out by year-end.

Top official to determine responsible department in complex 1823 cases

Hong Kong leader pledges building maintenance reforms after fatal Tai Po fire

Hong Kong court winds up Wang Fuk Court renovation consultant over debt

Will Power Architects, involved in HK$336 million renovation project at estate, is ordered wound up after failing to oppose creditor’s application.

85% of Wang Fuk Court owners sign sale deals as flat selection moves ahead

Housing Bureau holds computerised ballot to set flat-selection order, posts results online as rehousing scheme moves into next phase.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | Ensuring building safety in Hong Kong an uphill struggle

Readers discuss efforts to reduce shoddy work in building renovation, signs on expressways, and classic Hong Kong comedy films.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Why softer focus on national security in Hong Kong’s 5-year plan won’t happen

Experts expect John Lee’s policy address to set ambitious governance agenda on various social and economic issues, but security will underpin them all.

Buildings Department files 259 charges over work at fire-ravaged Hong Kong estate

Charges against two firms, four individuals relate to alleged use of substandard materials and failure to properly supervise repairs.

Letters | Bid-rigging isn’t new. Hong Kong must revisit old complaints

Readers discuss reforms to the system around building renovation projects, and a lesson from Zhu Rongji’s life.

75.8% of flat owners at block unscathed by Tai Po fire agree to sell

Housing Bureau says 188 households at Wang Chi House have signed sale and purchase agreements as part of buy-back scheme.

Editorial | Deal reached on Wang Fuk Court flats clears the way for recovery

Resolving resettlement for most Tai Po fire victims now paves the way for the next essential step towards closure: full accountability.

Couple who survived Tai Po fire await trial for fraud, cannot leave Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents allegedly obtained more than HK$330,000 in government-backed loans by overstating drop in revenue of their business.

Nearly all Wang Fuk Court owners accept deal, leaving 17 holdouts as offer ends

17 of 1,984 Wang Fuk Court owners fail to accept offer as deadline ends, facing compulsory acquisition at lower compensation levels.

Hong Kong gives 45 Wang Fuk Court holdouts final call on buyout scheme

As of noon on Sunday, 1,939 of estate’s 1,984 flat owners have submitted acceptance letters, while 77.7 per cent have signed sale and purchase agreements.

Hong Kong school opens at new Tai Po campus after deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

Nearly 600 Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils to begin new term at renovated campus after months of disruption split across two temporary sites.

Why some Wang Fuk Court owners have refused buy-back deal even as deadline nears

While acquisition price for flats at fire-ravaged estate is seen as generous, about 3.5 per cent of homeowners have not accepted offer.

Hong Kong rules out Wang Fuk Court buy-back extension as 100 owners hesitate

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong warns of ‘substantially lower’ compensation at later stage if government uses legal means to acquire flats.

Government still weighing decision on restricting proxy voters, official says

Proposed changes to law on buildings management meant to combat bid-rigging but limits to proxy votes could be too strict, home affairs director says.

Inquiry’s final report into deadly Hong Kong fire delayed until end of October

Panel says it has asked Chief Executive John Lee for deadline extension, citing complexity of issues and large volume of documents it must review.

Supplier says subcontractor ordered non-fire-retardant nets before Tai Po blaze

Documents released by independent panel investigating the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze detail Gain Profit’s orders for non-compliant nets.

Lawmakers flag gaps in proposed building management rules after Tai Po fire

Tightening proxy votes and strengthening oversight are moves in ‘correct’ direction, but legislators cite potential drawbacks and loopholes.

Opinion | John Lee is right about local governance. Now he must deliver

Fixing Hong Kong’s district management in the wake of the devastating Tai Po fire is the next test for the chief executive.

8% of Wang Fuk Court owners yet to accept buy-back as deadline looms

Asked whether government will turn to legal means to acquire remaining flats, chief executive says decision will be made at later stage.

Tai Po inquiry sheds more light on final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho

Government-appointed independent committee releases interim investigation report from separate task force, including images of Ho’s gear.

How a Hong Kong luxury estate saved HK$1b in renovation cost with tech solutions

Ex-CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo Allen Ha says ‘homegevity’ model of targeted, consistent repairs can spare homeowners major renovation work.

Hong Kong tests thermal drones to catch illegal smoking at construction sites

Labour Department says AI will be added later to help identify smoking workers.

Exclusive | 2 fire service contractors linked to Tai Po tragedy still in business

Lawmakers concerned about public safety and potential project abandonment as SCMP investigation reveals China Status and Victory Fire’s active status.

Contractor’s 2 directors deny all allegations in Tai Po fire witness statements

Independent committee investigating Wang Fuk Court fire also releases statement by district councillor previously criticised by residents.

Letters | Ensuring building safety in Hong Kong an uphill struggle

In Focus | Why softer focus on national security in Hong Kong’s 5-year plan won’t happen