Wah Fung Building Fire Tragedy: Investigation, Safety Issues, and Government Response

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A three-level fire in the Wah Fung Building in Jordan killed 5 people and injured 40 people, drawing public attention to fire safety issues in old buildings. The Fire Services Department stated that an investigation on the day of the fire found that the building’s fire alarm system, fire hydrants and other equipment were not in effective operation. A “Fire Hazard Elimination Notice” was issued and was followed up closely. The Wah Fung Building Corporation stated that the fire safety consultant’s estimate of the fire safety improvement project was far different from the government’s price, so it considered it inappropriate. It emphasized that the corporation was handling relevant matters; it also denied that the corporation was safeguarding the interests of the hotel. Some members of the Legislative Council suggested that the government take the initiative to implement statutory orders that have not been complied with for a long time.

Picture: photography team

Our reporter returned to the Huafeng Building yesterday. The building has not yet been completely unblocked. Two bouquets of white flowers were placed on the stairs to commemorate the victims of the fire. The first-floor patio, which is suspected to be the source of the fire, has charred debris all over the floor, as well as charred wooden ladders and iron frames. In addition, the walls of one unit where the fire broke out were severely blackened, and a large number of electrical wires were stripped off and hanging in the air. Most of the fitness equipment in the “Power Fitness Center” located on the first floor was also burned down.

The Fire Services Department stated that an investigation on the day of the fire found that the building’s fire alarm system, fire hydrants, hose reel systems and fire extinguishers were not in effective operation. The prescription stated that it has issued a “Fire Hazard Abatement Notice” to the relevant persons and will closely follow up the case. If the notice is not complied with within the time limit, law enforcement action will be taken.

In addition, after the registered contractor completed the annual inspection of fire protection installations and equipment for Wah Fung Building on September 21, 2022, it did not conduct another annual inspection. On November 1 last year, the Fire Services Department sent a letter to the building requesting an annual inspection every 12 months. The Fire Services Department said it is investigating and will take enforcement action if any violations are found.

The price offered by the fire safety consulting company is far different from the government’s estimate

After the fire, it was revealed that the building had not complied with fire safety instructions for 16 years and had not complied with mandatory building inspection orders. Some residents criticized the corporation for its chaotic management and inaction. Ye Xiaohong, the chairman of the building corporation who has been in office for half a year, responded publicly to the incident for the first time yesterday, saying that the fire safety consulting company had offered more than NT$30 million for the relevant projects, which was far from the government’s estimate of more than NT$10 million. Some members of the corporation thought it was unreasonable; they also questioned Some people want to make money through the project. She said that the corporation was handling relevant matters; she also pointed out that the building had updated fire protection equipment, including repairing fire doors and replacing 67 fire extinguishers. Regarding the lack of annual inspection, she said that the corporation was undergoing a change of management and there was a temporary maladministration.

She, who runs a hotel in the building, also denied that the corporation favored the interests of the hotel. Ye Xiaohong said that there are different stakeholders in the corporation and it is necessary to balance the interests of all parties. She also said that after the fire, a lot of work had been done in conjunction with the Electrical and Mechanical Department, Water Supplies Department, CLP, etc. and most of the water and electricity equipment had been inspected.

The corporation also issued a statement stating that the former chairman had always refused to repair the building. Subsequently, the corporation had rotated chairman. After the current corporation took office in October last year, it had changed cleaning companies, carried out stairway projects, improved environmental sanitation, and prepared for maintenance work. , but during the process, there was internal strife among the members of the corporation, and the two sides became very tense and often had disputes. The statement also pointed out that the chairman and some members of the corporation were smeared by people writing “big-character posters”, and some people also conveyed incomplete and false information to the media. The corporation emphasized that it hoped that the project would be worth the money and hoped that relevant matters could be arranged in the short term. It was also very saddened by the casualties caused by the fire and thanked all parties for lending a helping hand.

Urge the government to proactively implement statutory orders that have not been complied with for a long time

Legislative Council member Tian Beichen criticized the Fire Services Ordinance on a radio program as being like a “toothless tiger”; he also pointed out that although the Building Ordinance has penalties, the bureau has not made good use of the regulations. He suggested that the government take the initiative to enforce legal orders that have not been complied with for a long time. Legislative Council member Tse Wai-chuen, who is a non-executive director of the URA, believes that it is difficult for the URA alone to carry out urban renewal. The private market must participate and the government must provide economic incentives to ensure that the project is profitable before private companies can participate.

In addition, Deputy Financial Secretary Wong Wai-lun attended the event and praised the off-duty security team members who helped rescue people in the fire for their bravery and selflessness.

The original article was published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/Wah Fung Building 5 fatalities in three-alarm fire-Fire Services Department-Fire alarm system failed to operate effectively-Chairman of the Corporation spoke first-denied favoring the interests of the hotel-claimed that the fire consulting company opened High price/444640?utm_source=yahoorss&utm_medium=referral