Hong Kong court winds up Wang Fuk Court renovation consultant over debt

A Hong Kong court has ordered the liquidation of engineering consultant Will Power Architects over an undisclosed debt related to a HK$336 million renovation project at the fire-damaged Wang Fuk Court. The High Court granted Tong Yiu-kwok's application to wind up the firm after they failed to submit an opposition statement or provide a representative during the hearing.

The court did not disclose Tong's connection to the firm or the exact debt amount, but ordered Will Power to cover the costs of the civil proceedings. Will Power's director, Wong Hap-yin, has been held in custody since being charged with 16 offenses following the deadly blaze at the Wang Fuk Court last year. The tragedy, which claimed 168 lives and displaced nearly 5,000 residents, exposed flaws in fire-risk management for large-scale renovation projects and highlighted potential bid rigging within the building maintenance market.

The high-rise towers at the housing estate were partially covered in scaffolding when a safety netting fire spread rapidly to six other blocks, as a preliminary investigation found. Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption subsequently charged 25 individuals and two companies in connection with the fire, including Wong and Will Power.

The housing estate's renovation budget had been estimated at HK$152 million in September 2023 but increased to HK$336 million by 2024, adopting the most expensive option. The Buildings Department and Labour Department have also initiated criminal proceedings against Wong, Will Power, and others, accusing them of permitting defective building materials, failing to ensure workers' safety, and other charges.