Hong Kong Tai Po Hung Fuk Court Fire Independent Committee held the 5th hearing of the second round today (April 16th). Testimonies were given by several Hung Fuk Court residents, as well as representatives from Hong Kong Pang Engineering Company and Ming Wang Maintenance Engineering Company responsible for the external wall repair project.
First to testify was Lee Chun-ho, a resident of Hung Tai House. He recounted the tragic loss of his mother, brother, niece, and domestic helper in the fire. Lee described how he learned of the fire around 3 pm that day and rushed back to the scene but was blocked by the police. He shared the heartbreaking phone conversation with his mother reassuring him and expressing concerns about the lack of fire alarm sound.
Throughout the evening, Lee spoke with his mother every 15 minutes, and he vividly recalled the distressing cries and sounds of struggle heard over the phone as the situation worsened. He sought help from on-site officers and eventually broke through the cordon to plead with the firefighters for assistance. Witnessing the tragic events unfold over the phone, he was helpless as his brother collapsed.
Lee also revealed the residents’ dissatisfaction with the handling of complaints regarding the repair project prior to the fire, raising concerns about safety issues and lack of response from authorities. He emphasized the need for authorities to listen to residents’ grievances to prevent such tragedies.
Chairman of the Independent Committee, Luk Kai-hong, expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth behind the incident.
Subsequently, resident Fung Yiu testified about the loss of his mother in the fire. He recounted the chaotic scene, the swift spread of the fire, and the challenges faced by firefighters in controlling the blaze. Fung raised issues of safety lapses and inadequate responses from management despite residents’ complaints.
Fung highlighted the alleged irregularities involving certain individuals in community meetings and property management, urging for a thorough investigation by relevant authorities.
In addition, Fung disclosed attempts to influence residents’ decisions during crucial meetings, raising suspicions of misconduct and calling for scrutiny into management practices.
Resident Tai Tsz-man detailed the financial burden imposed on residents by the repair project and raised questions about the relationships between the former chairman and the construction company. He voiced frustrations over the lack of accountability and responsiveness from authorities and contractors, leading to distrust within the community.
The testimony of the company responsible for the external wall repair of Hong Kong Dao House, Hong Tai House, and Hong Cheung House revealed new insights into the project’s execution and oversight. The exchange during the hearing shed light on certain operational procedures and safety protocols employed during the construction.
The harrowing account given by the last witness, Lee Kwok-hung, added a poignant perspective to the tragedy, depicting the desperate attempt by his mother and two domestic helpers to seek help amid the engulfing smoke and chaos inside their unit. The CCTV footage played during the hearing captured the escalating situation, underscoring the harrowing conditions faced by the victims before their tragic fate.
Throughout the testimony, the legal representatives overseeing the proceedings raised pertinent questions about safety protocols, compliance, and accountability, signaling the need for a comprehensive review of the incident and the parties involved. The committee’s diligence in pursuing the truth and seeking justice for the victims resonated with the public, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in such catastrophic events.