Hong Kong’s property management watchdog has vowed to rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches over the Wang Fuk Court fire that has claimed 159 lives, even as the estate manager described its role as confined to providing administrative support and managing day-to-day security services.
In reply to the Post’s queries, the Property Management Services Authority said on Wednesday that under its Code of Conduct, licensed managers were required to follow up in a timely manner with the engaged fire service installation contractor and to notify the director of fire services at the “soonest possible [time] or in advance” if safety installations had been shut down for repair.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming revealed that six more people had been arrested in connection with the Tai Po inferno, taking the total to 21. Contractors responsible for the fire alarm system at the eight-block estate, which had been undergoing extensive renovations, were the latest to be detained.
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Chow said the six were suspected to have falsely declared to the Fire Services Department that they would not deactivate the fire alarm system during renovation work.
The department earlier said the alarm system did not sound when the blaze broke out on Wednesday last week and swept through seven residential blocks.
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On Monday, the regulator said Wang Fuk Court’s property management company, ISS EastPoint, was no different from other licensed firms. It said such companies must remind and assist owners in fulfilling their responsibilities, including the proper management and maintenance of fire service installations in common areas of the property, to prevent casualties or loss arising from fire.