Hong Kong authorities have filed the first charges in connection with the deadliest residential fire in the city's history, following a months-long investigation. Seven individuals and two companies face 25 charges, including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.
Details of the Charges
The charges stem from a catastrophic fire that swept through the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po district in November 2025, killing 168 people. The defendants were involved in a US$42.9 million renovation project at the time of the blaze. The companies charged with manslaughter are Will Power Architects, which consulted on the renovations, and Presidge Construction and Engineering, the main contractor.
Among the individuals charged are three current and former directors of these companies, including Will Power director Wong Hap-yin, who faces 16 counts. The company's registered inspector, Wilson Ng, along with Wong's wife and a friend, were also charged.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The charges were brought by Hong Kong police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The case will be heard at West Kowloon Magistrates' Court in September. Two of the seven individuals have reportedly been granted bail, while the rest remain in custody.
Safety Lapses and Impact
An independent inquiry found serious safety compliance failures that accelerated the fire, which destroyed seven high-rise buildings and burned for more than two days. Fire alarms in seven of the eight buildings were disabled, and combustible foam boards covered the windows. Residents had raised concerns for over a year about non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting used during renovations.
Lee Chun Ho, who lost his mother, brother, 15-month-old niece, and the family's live-in maid in the fire, recounted at a public inquiry in April how he tried desperately to keep them awake while trapped on the 19th floor. He overheard rescuers saying they could not break through the 14th floor due to the intensity of the flames. Lee's mother had previously complained to the ICAC about the high cost of renovations and workers smoking during their shifts.
The inquiry's findings are expected to be filed later this year. Superintendent Basil Tang Yick-kay stated that the construction arrangements are suspected of seriously compromising the building's fire safety, causing rapid fire spread and obstructing escape routes, leading to a high number of casualties.
