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Cliff Buddle

The blaze that claimed five lives and left 43 injured in an old Hong Kong building last week was an accident waiting to happen.
Fire risks posed by the city’s congested and outdated tower blocks, especially those with a tangled combination of shops, offices, guest houses and subdivided flats, are well known.
Owners of those built before March 1, 1987 are required by law to modernise and maintain their safety features. But many fail to comply with the demands of enforcement authorities. This can drag on dangerously for years.
It is sad that it takes the loss of yet more lives to focus minds and bring a sense of urgency.
The 16-storey block in Yau Ma Tei engulfed in flames on April 10 is called New Lucky Building. This is a misnomer. It is neither new nor lucky. It was built in 1964.
Owners of blaze-hit Hong Kong building in 16-year dispute over fire safety order
Residents endured a nightmare ordeal as flames and smoke spread through the building. Many suffered a terrifying wait of more than an hour before being rescued.
Investigations are under way. Early evidence suggests a discarded cigarette butt might have been responsible. Full details of how the tragedy occurred must be established and revealed.
Attention has quickly turned to safety standards in the building, which contained 35 guest houses and numerous subdivided flats.
It has emerged that the owners’ corporation has still not complied with fire safety orders issued by the Buildings Department in 2008. These include demands for replacing fire doors, installing fire resistant materials and protecting windows. It is staggering the problem has lagged for so long.
But it is only the tip of the iceberg. The Buildings Department has revealed that more than 9,500 properties have failed to comply with such orders.
The overall compliance rate for demands issued by the Buildings and Fire Services departments is a pathetic 37 per cent.
Hong Kong prides itself on being a city governed by the rule of law. Officials have, in recent times, repeatedly stressed the need for laws to be complied with. And yet in certain areas, from illegal structures to construction site safety breaches, the rules seem to be honoured more in the breach than the observance.
The responsibility for ensuring old buildings meet fire safety standards falls upon property owners. But the work is often costly and the process complex. It is not easy to get individual owners to reach agreement on what should be done. This causes delays, but is no excuse for inaction when lives are at stake.
Officials sought views from lawmakers on proposed changes to the fire safety law in September 2021. A public consultation was held in July 2022. Further proposals were put to the Legislative Council in December last year.
Now, we are told, the Security Bureau is still working on draft amendments to be submitted later in the year. The pace of change is glacial.
Reform of the law is urgently needed. It would allow the authorities to step in and carry out fire safety improvement works when owners fail to do so, reclaiming the funds later.
With so much work to be done, priorities will need to be set and support given to owners. But the prospect of the government taking matters into its own hands might help forge a consensus when there are disputes. The proposal also suggests increasing the penalties for breaches.
Hong Kong, with its crowded tower blocks, tiny subdivided flats and outdated safety measures, is one big fire risk. There have been too many tragic warnings.
The government and legislature has shown, with the recent lightning passage of new national security laws, that when they put their mind to something it can be achieved in record speed.
Now, the same urgency should be shown with pressing policy issues involving a risk to life. The fire alarm has been sounded. The need to make the city’s old buildings safe should be treated as an emergency.


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Hong Kong society

Making Hong Kong’s old buildings safe should be treated as an emergency

Volunteers help residents outside New Lucky House in Jordan, where a fire killed five on April 10th. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

9,578 buildings have not complied with Hong Kong fire safety orders, with a fifth in same district as blaze-hit property

Fire Services Department personnel prepare to enter a blaze-hit building Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Jelly Tse

A mourner places flowers outside New Lucky House, where five people lost their lives in a fire. Photo: Jelly Tse

A photo taken by a resident shows the damage caused by the fire inside the building. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong witnesses one of city’s deadliest blazes in years. The Post shares basics for escaping a burning building

Signaling for help from a safe place can attract the attention of rescue workers during a fire. Photo: Jelly Tse

Firefighters at the scene of the fire at New Lucky House on Wednesday. Photo: Jelly Tse

Cigarette butt may have caused fire that killed 5 in Hong Kong building, Post learns

A source says there are no signs of arson or any criminal elements, but if a discarded cigarette butt had caused the fire, the smoker may face prosecution. Photo: Jelly Tse

Opinion

The fire alarm has sounded. The city with its crowded tower blocks, tiny subdivided flats and outdated safety measures is one big fire risk


The fire alarm has sounded. The city with its crowded tower blocks, tiny subdivided flats and outdated safety measures is one big fire risk.


Hong Kong fires and safety

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

My Take

My Take | Making Hong Kong’s old buildings safe should be treated as an emergency

The fire alarm has sounded. The city with its crowded tower blocks, tiny subdivided flats and outdated safety measures is one big fire risk