Disciplinary board postpones hearing against fire safety firms over Tai Po blaze

The Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors Disciplinary Board has postponed a hearing for two fire safety contractors, Victory Fire Engineering Limited and China Status Development and Engineering Company Limited, who are accused of improperly managing disabled fire safety systems prior to the tragic Wang Fuk Court blaze last year. The hearing scheduled for Friday has been adjourned until further notice, following a joint request from both parties to prepare for the proceedings.

China Status, another contractor involved in the incident, has also had its hearing postponed, allowing the prosecution additional time to process the case. The two firms have not objected to the adjournment. Earlier investigations by an independent committee found that both companies were negligent, with China Status allegedly extending the shutdown of the fire safety system 16 times for repairs.

The estate's fire alarms were disabled when the fire broke out on November 26 last year, killing 168 people and displacing thousands.

During a March hearing, a Victory Fire engineer defended the company, stating it was not his responsibility to address the disabled systems. The Fire Services Department announced the postponement, noting that disciplinary proceedings could result in reprimands or removal from the register, but criminal prosecution would require separate procedures. The department only confirmed that prosecutions would occur if there is sufficient evidence, and has not yet pressed charges against the two firms.