Housing Bureau Unit Failed to Follow Up on Safety Issues Before Deadly Tai Po Fire

The Buildings Department disputed the ICU’s claim that no regulations governed the temporary use of polyfoam boards, contradicting the unit’s defense.

Systemic Weaknesses in Oversight

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) faced scrutiny for its limited role in addressing alleged bid-rigging in the renovation project. Peter Wong Se-king, the URA’s director of building rehabilitation, admitted that the agency’s Smart Tender system could not effectively prevent tender manipulation, potentially giving residents a "false sense of security."

Senior maintenance surveyor Andy Ku Siu-ping is scheduled to give live testimony in the first of three sessions of the fourth round of evidential hearings, shedding further light on the lapses. The Tai Po fire, Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, has exposed critical gaps in construction safety enforcement.

The ICU’s failure to act on warnings underscores broader concerns about regulatory oversight in public housing projects. Authorities continue to investigate whether negligence contributed to the tragedy, as displaced residents await answers and accountability.