Hong Kong's Housing Authority suspended an exterior renovation project at Yee Kok Court in Sham Shui Po on 30/11 after an independent supervisor discovered windows in several apartments covered with styrofoam panels during repairs. This material is deemed highly flammable and was identified as a primary factor in the catastrophic Wang Fuk Court fire, which resulted in at least 146 fatalities last week.

During the Wang Fuk Court renovation, contractors also used styrofoam to cover apartment windows. The material quickly ignited, shattering window panes and allowing flames to spread rapidly inside. Following this discovery at Yee Kok Court, the project contractor has been ordered to immediately remove all styrofoam panels, and authorities are seeking legal advice regarding potential prosecution.

The Hong Kong Housing Bureau has further directed the contractor to cease all operations, conduct an independent safety assessment, develop an improvement plan, and implement corrective measures. The project will only be permitted to resume once the safety system meets regulatory requirements.

Yee Kok Court apartment building in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong. Photo: Standard HK

This incident comes as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is conducting comprehensive safety inspections of apartment buildings following the Wang Fuk Court tragedy. The Buildings Department has already suspended 28 projects by contractor Prestige due to concerns about their competence after the fire.

Officials consider the use of flammable materials in exterior renovations a serious threat to both worker and resident safety. The Buildings Department has inspected 319 buildings currently undergoing scaffolding work, collecting samples of protective netting for fire resistance testing.

Separately, the Labor Department launched an emergency inspection campaign from 28/11, focusing on fire safety systems, emergency response plans, and the fire resistance standards of protective netting at large-scale scaffolded construction sites. This campaign has so far inspected 51 sites, issued 45 written warnings, 12 notices requiring rectification, and initiated prosecution in two cases.

By Thanh Danh (Sources: Standard HK, RTHK, Dimsum Daily)