Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the afternoon of November 26, a fire broke out in multiple residential buildings in Hung Fuk Court, Tai Po Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong, causing significant casualties. In the early hours of November 27, Hong Kong police and fire departments held a joint press conference to report that the fire had resulted in 44 deaths and 45 injuries.
Police investigations revealed that the protective netting, waterproof tarpaulin, and plastic sheeting covering the exterior walls of the buildings where the fire occurred appeared to be non-compliant with fire safety regulations. Furthermore, in another building unaffected by the fire, each floor's elevator lobby windows were covered with expanding foam; this material is flammable and could accelerate the spread of fire, and is not ruled out as a contributing factor to the rapid spread of the fire.
An investigation revealed that an engineering company was responsible for installing the aforementioned materials. Police believe that the company's management was grossly negligent, leading to the rapid spread of the fire and the significant casualties. Currently, the police have arrested three people involved in the case, all of whom are responsible persons of the engineering company involved, including two directors and one engineering consultant, aged between 52 and 68.
