{
  "id": 6429868,
  "title": "Consultants and contractors charged over Wang Fuk fire",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/consultants-and-contractors-charged-over-wang-fuk-fire",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T14:14:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869461-20260909.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Buildings Department has charged two companies and four individuals over the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court that claimed 168 lives last year. The two firms accused are Will Power Architects Company, responsible for the renovation project's consultancy, and Prestige Construction & Engineering, the primary contractor. The four individuals cited are Wong Hap-yin, director of Will Power; Ng Yeuk, the registered inspector; and Prestige directors Hau Wa-kin and Ho Kin-yip. They are accused of permitting or authorising the use of defective materials or those not in line with the Buildings Ordinance during construction works. The parties are also charged with allowing the building works to proceed in a way that caused injury or property damage. The Buildings Department has increased regulation, inspections, and enforcement since the Wang Fuk Court disaster. A special operation is being carried out to inspect scaffold nets and fire safety measures at around 400 buildings undergoing extensive renovations across Hong Kong. The Labour Department has also charged a project contractor, a consultant, and an individual for the deaths of five workers during the Wang Fuk Court fire, initiating 25 charges for breaches of general duty provisions under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.",
  "summary": "The Buildings Department on Wednesday said it has laid 259 charges against two companies and four individuals linked to last year's fire at Wang Fuk Court, which took 168 lives. The two firms facing charges are Will Power Architects Company, the consultancy firm for the estate's renovation project, and Prestige Construction & Engineering, the main contractor. The four individuals prosecuted are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "Consultants and contractors charged over Wang Fuk fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/consultants-and-contractors-charged-over-wang-fuk-fire-6430105",
        "published": "2026-09-09T14:14:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}