Owner of subdivided Hong Kong flat where fire killed three could be prosecuted
Possibility raised after flat revealed to lack sprinklers and fire extinguishers
Buildings officials will consider prosecuting the owner of an unauthorised, subdivided industrial building flat in Hong Kong that went up in flames on Saturday night, killing three.
A preliminary investigation by the Buildings Department indicated that no authorisation had been given to the owner of the 10th floor unit to alter building plans and carve up the 6,000 sq ft space into 17 separate rooms, nor did it submit an application to carry out minor building works.
Some of the alteration works had also failed to meet the safety standards for fire escapes and fire-resistant construction.
“The [department] will issue a statutory order to the relevant persons … demanding rectification of the irregularities, collect further evidence … and consider prosecution,” a department spokesman said.
This came as police and fire officials continued to investigate the tragedy at the 45-year-old Mai Sik Industrial Building in Kwai Chung, which was revealed to have lacked automatic sprinkler systems due to an exemption for such buildings built before 1973.
