Hong Kong authorities have arrested five executives from construction and architectural consulting firms on suspicion of negligent homicide after a devastating residential fire, the city’s deadliest in seven decades, killed at least 128 people amid findings of widespread substandard materials and failed safety systems.
The death toll from the inferno at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district surged to 128 by Friday afternoon. Another 79 people were injured, and approximately 200 remain missing, with 80 unidentified bodies recovered.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) arrested two directors from Will Power Architects Company, the consulting firm overseeing renovation projects at the site. This followed Thursday’s police arrest of three senior staff, including two directors, from Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Limited, the construction firm involved.
All five executives face suspected charges of negligent homicide.
Initial investigations revealed that highly flammable styrene foam had been used to seal elevator shaft windows on all floors. This material is believed to have significantly accelerated the fire’s spread within the building and into residential units through corridors.
Additionally, external scaffolding mesh and covers were found to be non-compliant with fire safety standards. This allowed flames originating from external bamboo scaffolding to rapidly engulf the building.
Fire alarms across all eight buildings in the complex were also found to be ineffective during the incident.
The fire began on Wednesday afternoon, November 26, on the lower floors before rapidly ascending the building. Hong Kong’s Fire Department reported that temperatures reached up to 500 degrees Celsius in some areas, causing the blaze to re-ignite in spots after initial suppression efforts.
All fires were confirmed extinguished around 10:18 AM local time on Friday.
Police are scheduled to enter Wang Fuk Court on Friday to begin collecting evidence, with the full investigation expected to take three to four weeks.
The emergency response involved more than 2,311 firefighters, 391 fire trucks, and 188 ambulances. Twelve firefighters sustained injuries during the operation.
Authorities stated that no helicopters were deployed, deeming aerial water drops ineffective for internal building fires. Drones were also not used, with officials noting that methods for deploying them in such operations are still under study.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has ordered an immediate review of all government residential building renovation projects. He also vowed an intense criminal investigation into the tragedy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping previously extended his condolences over the incident and called for the full mobilization of resources to minimize casualties.
Currently, seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex are under control, and 56 residents remain hospitalized.