Hong Kong has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance, six months after a deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
The proposals cover six major areas, including fire safety system checks and new penalties for fire hazards. The consultation paper stated that the changes aim to achieve enhanced public safety, regulatory coherence, enforcement effectiveness and accountability.
The amendments are part of the government’s response to the Wang Fuk Court blaze on November 26 last year. The 43-hour fire damaged seven of the eight residential buildings in the Tai Po housing estate.
The incident killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 residents. Authorities said the consultation exercise seeks to strengthen fire safety regulations following the tragedy.
