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Hong Kong counsel blames contractors for deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

The government counsel said the inquiry should not treat oversight gaps as the primary cause, while pointing to systemic weaknesses such as outdated guidance and limited technology for detecting malpractice.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Emerging Markets

Hong Kong authorities’ role in last year’s deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze was secondary to alleged failings by construction and fire service contractors, a government counsel argued during an independent committee inquiry, according to SCMP Economy. Jenkin Suen SC said the fire was driven by contractors’ “deceit, inaction and deliberate omission,” describing how some parties allegedly exploited regulatory regimes that relied on authorities’ trust in private-sector supervision. He cautioned against focusing on government “weaknesses” as the main cause, saying the legislative framework was shaped by longstanding calls to streamline procedures, reduce compliance costs, and avoid disproportionate requirements for low-risk construction works. Suen also said the disaster highlighted systemic vulnerabilities, including an overreliance on professional self-regulation, insufficient oversight, gaps in guidelines, and interdepartmental miscommunication. He added that authorities were unable to use technology to detect malpractice. He further warned that public scrutiny often targets government failures, but stakeholders beyond the administration must be considered, reiterating the inquiry should weigh both regulatory structure and the conduct of other participants.

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