HK Probes Corruption, Negligence that Led to Deadliest Fire in Decades

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has raised questions about corruption and negligence in the renovation of an apartment complex where at least 128 people died, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The complex housed some 4,800 residents, some of whom had raised safety concerns about the renovations more than a year before the fire. (Screenshot: am730 Wikimedia Commons) 

An intense fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong’s northern suburbs on Wednesday afternoon, with flames engulfing seven of its eight towers. The complex housed some 4,800 residents, some of whom had raised safety concerns about the renovations more than a year before the fire.

Police have since arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence.

They have since been released on bail, Mainichi Shimbun also reported.

Authorities additionally arrested seven men and one woman, aged 40 to 63 — including scaffolding subcontractors, directors of an engineering consultancy, and project managers overseeing the renovation — in a corruption probe.

Police have not publicly named the company employing the suspects, but documents posted on the homeowners association’s website show that Prestige Construction & Engineering Co. was responsible for the renovation work.

Police have seized boxes of documents from the company, where phones rang unanswered.