The Buildings Department (BD) and the Labour Department (LD) have filed a total of 284 prosecutions over the Wang Fuk Court fire incident in Tai Po, comprising 259 repair work-related offences and 25 occupational safety charges.

The BD today laid charges for a total of 259 offences against four persons and two companies in connection with the major building repair works at Wang Fuk Court, where a fire broke out on November 26 last year. 

The two companies charged are the works consultancy firm, Will Power Architects Company Limited (Will Power), and the main contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, Limited (Prestige).

The four individuals charged include Will Power director Wong Hap-yin and registered inspector Ng Yeuk, alongside Prestige directors Hau Wa-kin and Ho Kin-yip.

Following the incident, the BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau investigated the major repair works at the estate. Based on the ICU’s findings of irregularities and after seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the BD laid the charges under the Buildings Ordinance (BO).

The charges include allegedly permitting or authorising the use of materials in building works that are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the BO; permitting or authorising building works and inspections to be carried out in a manner causing injury to any person or damage to property; and failing to properly supervise repair works, among other contraventions.

The BD once again reminded contractors and relevant building works practitioners to properly supervise inspections and building works in accordance with the BO and its subsidiary regulations and the relevant Codes of Practice to ensure suitable materials are used and works are carried out safely.                                                          

Meanwhile, the LD has initiated at this stage a total of 25 prosecutions regarding the fire incident which caused the death of five construction contractor employees, following consultation with the Department of Justice.

The prosecutions were brought against a contractor, a project consultant and an individual, by way of indictment under the Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance for general duty contraventions.

The LD emphasised that it does not tolerate contraventions of occupational safety and health legislation, and will strictly enforce the law.