Homeowners at a Hong Kong housing complex destroyed in one of the city’s deadliest fires were mistakenly told that the contractor later blamed for the blaze had a spotless safety record, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The assurances came from Will Power Architects, a consultant hired by the homeowners’ corporation to assess bids for a major renovation project.
However, official records show that the chosen contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., had been fined more than a dozen times over seven years before being hired. Violations included unsafe scaffolding and faulty electrical work. These penalties, issued between 2016 and 2019, fell under Hong Kong’s industrial-safety laws and were typically handled in magistrates’ courts.
Interviews with residents and a review of construction and regulatory records reveal how Prestige won a HK$330 million (US$42.4 million) renovation contract despite its safety history. Residents—some experienced in construction—later raised repeated concerns about workers smoking on-site, the use of flammable materials such as scaffolding mesh and foam boards, and soaring costs. Attempts to remove Prestige from the project were ultimately unsuccessful.
It remains unclear why Will Power told homeowners that Prestige had “no record of being prosecuted by the Labour Department.” Reuters could not determine whether Prestige disclosed its violations or disputed them. Both companies did not respond to requests for comment, and no legal filings were found.
Industry experts told Reuters that consultants must properly review contractor bids, while contractors are responsible for honestly reporting their safety histories when asked.
The operations of Will Power and Prestige are now under manslaughter and corruption investigations following the November 26 blaze at Wang Fuk Court, which has so far killed at least 159 people, making it Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948. Authorities say Prestige used scaffolding mesh that did not meet fire-safety standards and foam boards that were highly flammable. The Labour Department had previously told concerned residents that the mesh was certified as safe. Hong Kong’s deputy leader later said contractors attempted to deceive inspectors by mixing low-grade materials with approved products.
Several individuals linked to Prestige and Will Power have been arrested, although their identities have not been disclosed, as is standard practice in Hong Kong. No charges have yet been filed.
Wang Fuk Court consisted of eight government-subsidized towers built in the 1980s and occupied mainly by blue-collar workers and elderly residents. The Labour Department and Hong Kong Police did not answer questions about Prestige’s safety record or the ongoing investigations.
The Buildings Department, responsible for construction-material standards, pointed to two notices issued in late 2023 reminding firms to ensure that materials like mesh netting met fire-safety rules, but the agency did not mention foam boards.
Residents’ Revolt
Under Hong Kong rules, buildings older than 30 years must undergo inspection and renovation. For Wang Fuk Court, this included exterior repairs, fire-safety fixes, and pipe replacements. Will Power gave Prestige one of the highest scores among 57 bidders, praising a safety record that was later proven inaccurate.
Over the years, Prestige had been fined HK$309,000 (US$39,700) for 15 safety violations and separately ordered by the Buildings Department to pay HK$139,000 (US$17,850) for negligence on unrelated projects. Prestige was also barred from certain work for four months.
Renovation issues surfaced in early 2024 as project costs more than doubled from earlier estimates. Complaints grew about high expenses and lack of consultation. Some residents pushed to remove the long-standing homeowners’ leadership and terminate Prestige’s contract. A mass meeting was eventually held during a typhoon in September 2024, where more than 1,200 residents voted to elect new leadership.
Fire Hazards and Residents’ Last Efforts
Despite resident pressure, the new board did not cancel Prestige’s contract after legal advice warned that doing so could expose all homeowners to liability. Instead, the board launched its own investigation into fire-safety risks, formed volunteer oversight teams, and collected evidence of possible violations.
Yet many residents still felt unsafe. One of them was Wong, a retired electrician and plumber whose photo during the fire—with the burning building behind him and his wife trapped inside—went viral worldwide. His son told Reuters that Wong removed the foam boards from his own windows and replaced them with fire-resistant film. He even sprayed water on the mesh outside his flat to keep it damp.
“Even though he knew the risks, nothing he did could change what happened,” his son said.