Independent Committee on Wang Fuk Court fire completes final hearings

The Independent Committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire began its final hearings today, with the inquiry now heading towards a conclusion.

Committee Chairman David Lok said he will submit a report to the chief executive proposing improvements in relevant areas.

As the hearings at the Independent Committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire are drawing to a close, Committee Chairman David Lok said members on the panel and legal representatives from the government each made conclusions containing 600 and 400 pages respectively.

The first day of the latest hearings pertained to conclusions of the four parties involved in the tragedy.

Lawyers representing ISS EastPoint stated that the former property management firm responsible for Wang Fuk Court was never chosen to play a supervising role over the course of the housing estate's large-scale renovation works.

The legal representatives added the management firm had no authority to regulate or dismiss renovation workers.

On issues related to workers smoking on site, the team stressed complaints should be referred to the government, adding that at least nine relevant complaints were never confirmed by the Labour Department, while the Housing Bureau never mentioned fire risks after following up on a complaint.

Regarding an electrician who earlier admitted to assisting fire services personnel in draining their water tank and for shutting down the fire alarm system's control panel, his legal representative said he provided assistance to qualified individuals.

Legal representatives for China Status Director Leung Ping-kay, the fire service installation contractor hired by Prestige Construction and Engineering, noted that there were suspension notices regarding fire safety systems on his employer's quotation, making it difficult to believe Prestige was unaware of fire-related issues.

While the team representing the Urban Renewal Authority mentioned the government's Smart Tender system.

They stressed while it is effective as a deterrent against criminal organisations, the system may face challenges in tackling secret dealings as it is not operated by a law enforcement agency.