Shortcomings in Hong Kong’s building regulations could complicate efforts to prove manslaughter in the Tai Po housing estate blaze that killed 159 people, according to legal and construction experts.
Police have arrested 21 people so far, including 15 for alleged manslaughter, after authorities found flammable foam panels and nets that were not flame-retardant on the scaffolding that covered the eight blocks of Wang Fuk Court, which had been under renovation since July last year.
The blaze at the estate, which lasted for 43 hours after breaking out last Wednesday, rapidly tore through seven of its eight blocks, trapping many residents inside.
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Authorities earlier said the investigation had begun “along the lines of manslaughter” after they arrested 15 people, including individuals from the main contractor, construction consultancy and subcontractors in charge of scaffolding and the exterior walls, on suspicion of the offence.
Experts said that because of the complexity of construction law and relevant building regulations, it would not be easy to pursue manslaughter charges which required proof that those involved “turned a blind eye” to the use of allegedly substandard material and committed “gross negligence”.
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They added that existing rules did not explicitly regulate the use of foam boards and were less stringent for renovation sites compared with new construction projects.