The first public evidential hearing into the Wang Fuk Court tragedy has cast a somber light on the final actions of a 37-year-old firefighter who lost his life during the rescue operation.
Senior Counsel Victor Dawes, leading the legal team for the committee, detailed how the officer, who was stationed at Sha Tin Fire Station, arrived at the scene approximately 10 minutes after the blaze erupted.
Tasked with reaching Wang Cheong House to assist residents, the firefighter’s planned route required him to pass the bicycle entrance of Wang Tai House.
However, amid the burgeoning chaos and thick smoke, CCTV footage captured him entering Wang Tai House instead at 3.15pm. He was last seen alive in an elevator, equipped with a helmet, a hammer, and a fire extinguisher, as he ascended to the 25th floor.
Systemic failures and disabled alarms
The inquiry heard a harrowing account of cascading safety breaches that turned the estate into a death trap. Evidence suggests that life-saving systems failed almost entirely on the day of the inferno.
Most notably, fire alarm systems had been deactivated in seven of the eight blocks, stripping residents of vital evacuation time.
Furthermore, fire hydrants and hose reels had been kept offline for months, far exceeding the 14-day limit for maintenance. The court was told that flame-retardant scaffolding mesh had been replaced with inferior, flammable netting following a typhoon.
This, combined with the storage of combustible materials on window ledges and the cutting of makeshift openings in stairwell windows, allowed the fire to engulf a tower in less than two minutes.
A devastating human toll
The human cost of the disaster remains staggering, with 168 confirmed deaths and 79 injuries. The victims included 150 residents, domestic workers, and renovation staff, ranging in age from an infant of six months to a 98-year-old senior. The hearing revealed the profound grief of 37 families who lost multiple loved ones in the blaze.
Regarding the fallen firefighter, a post-mortem confirmed he had inhaled significant levels of carbon monoxide and suffered multiple burns. It is believed he became trapped on the 30th floor of the wrong block and may have removed his breathing apparatus in a desperate attempt to break a window on the 31st floor before falling. He was pronounced dead at the hospital later that afternoon.
Seeking truth and urgent reform
Justice David Lok, chairing the independent committee, acknowledged the distress these proceedings might cause bereaved families but emphasized the necessity of establishing the truth. The inquiry is expected to last several months, with a final report due within nine months.
The investigation will not only focus on the specific events of that day but will also conduct a system-wide review of oversight and maintenance in large-scale residential buildings. The goal is to ensure such a tragedy never recurs by driving urgent reforms in safety protocols and contractor accountability.
