Fire Services Chief Testifies on Interagency Coordination Deficiencies in Fatal Wang Fuk Court Blaze Inquiry

Apr 24, 2026, 13:00

Introduction

The independent committee investigating the November 2025 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in 168 fatalities, heard testimony from Fire Services Director Andy Yeung, who acknowledged historical shortcomings in interagency cooperation but asserted that current protocols delineate clear responsibilities between fire and building authorities.

Main Body

The hearing, on its 19th day, examined the statutory roles of the Fire Services Department (FSD) and building authorities regarding oversight of polystyrene panels and temporary openings at emergency staircases during renovations. Committee lead counsel Victor Dawes referenced a judicial review in which a mini-storage operator contested FSD''s issuance of a fire hazards abatement notice, arguing the matter fell under Buildings Department jurisdiction. The court ruling affirmed FSD''s duty to advise on fire protection measures. Yeung, the highest-ranking official to testify, stated that enhanced cooperation between the two bodies was previously necessary, but a formal division of labour now exists for construction issues. He emphasized that both departments possess statutory powers over foam boards and temporary stairwell openings, and collaboration is essential before enforcement actions. Yeung noted that FSD is pursuing legislative amendments, with a bill expected for legislative consultation next month. Operational improvements include tightened scrutiny of shutdown notices, addition of 30 emergency call lines (with 30 more pending), and a fourth-generation mobilizing system in testing. Earlier testimonies from Assistant Director Tang Wing-wah described challenges such as falling debris blocking building access and deactivated booster pumps requiring portable pumps. Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan defended the non-use of the Emergency Alert System, deeming it unsuitable, but conceded that a level four alarm should have been raised sooner. Committee Chairman Mr Justice David Lok Kai-hong observed that the Buildings Department may not identify all fire hazards at construction sites, implying a potential oversight gap. Yeung countered that interference between departments could cause role overlap, maintaining that FSD monitors fire installations while building authorities handle structural safety.

Conclusion

The inquiry continues to scrutinize interagency coordination and regulatory gaps exposed by the disaster, with the fire services chief advocating for clearer legislative frameworks and operational enhancements while defending existing jurisdictional boundaries.

Vocabulary Learning

abatement
The reduction or removal of a nuisance, hazard, or legal grievance.減少或消除（滋擾、危險或法律申訴）
Example:A mini-storage operator contested the Fire Services Department's issuance of a fire hazards abatement notice.
delineate
To describe or portray something precisely, especially in terms of boundaries or responsibilities.精確描述或劃定（尤指界限或責任）
Example:The current protocols delineate clear responsibilities between fire and building authorities.
jurisdictional
Relating to the official power or authority to make legal decisions and judgments.管轄權的；司法管轄的
Example:The fire services chief defended existing jurisdictional boundaries while advocating for clearer legislative frameworks.
scrutiny
Critical observation, examination, or close inspection.仔細審查；嚴密監視
Example:Operational improvements include tightened scrutiny of shutdown notices.
statutory
Required, permitted, or enacted by statute; relating to formal written law.法定的；成文法規定的
Example:Both departments possess statutory powers over foam boards and temporary stairwell openings.

Sentence Learning

The independent committee investigating the November 2025 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which resulted in 168 fatalities, heard testimony from Fire Services Director Andy Yeung, who acknowledged historical shortcomings in interagency cooperation but asserted that current protocols delineate clear responsibilities between fire and building authorities.
Structural Analysis in English This sentence contains a main clause ("The independent committee... heard testimony from Fire Services Director Andy Yeung") with two non-restrictive relative clauses: one modifying "fire" ("which resulted in 168 fatalities") and one modifying "Andy Yeung" ("who acknowledged... but asserted..."). The second relative clause includes a coordinated verb phrase ("acknowledged... but asserted") and a subordinate noun clause ("that current protocols delineate clear responsibilities..."). The sentence also features a participial phrase ("investigating the November 2025 fire...") acting as a reduced relative clause modifying "committee".Structural Analysis in Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) 本句包含一個主句（「獨立委員會……聽取了消防處處長楊恩賜的證詞」）及兩個非限制性關係從句：一個修飾「火災」（「導致168人死亡」），另一個修飾「楊恩賜」（「承認……但聲稱……」）。第二個關係從句包含並列動詞短語（「承認……但聲稱……」）及一個名詞性從句（「現行協議明確劃分了……責任」）。句子亦包含一個分詞短語（「調查2025年11月……火災」）作為修飾「委員會」的簡化關係從句。
Committee lead counsel Victor Dawes referenced a judicial review in which a mini-storage operator contested FSD's issuance of a fire hazards abatement notice, arguing the matter fell under Buildings Department jurisdiction.
Structural Analysis in English The main clause is "Committee lead counsel Victor Dawes referenced a judicial review". This is followed by a relative clause ("in which a mini-storage operator contested FSD's issuance of a fire hazards abatement notice") modifying "judicial review". Additionally, a present participial phrase ("arguing the matter fell under Buildings Department jurisdiction") provides supplementary information about the operator's action, functioning as an adverbial clause of manner or reason.Structural Analysis in Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) 主句為「委員會首席法律顧問維克多·道斯提及一宗司法覆核」。其後跟隨一個關係從句（「其中一名迷你倉營運商質疑消防處發出火警危險通知書」）修飾「司法覆核」。此外，一個現在分詞短語（「辯稱此事屬於屋宇署管轄範圍」）提供關於營運商行動的補充信息，充當方式或原因狀語從句。
Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan defended the non-use of the Emergency Alert System, deeming it unsuitable, but conceded that a level four alarm should have been raised sooner.
Structural Analysis in English This sentence has a main clause ("Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan defended the non-use of the Emergency Alert System") followed by a present participial phrase ("deeming it unsuitable") that explains the reasoning. Then a coordinating conjunction "but" introduces a concessive clause ("conceded that a level four alarm should have been raised sooner"). The concessive clause contains a subordinate noun clause ("that a level four alarm should have been raised sooner") with a modal perfect "should have been raised" expressing past obligation or criticism.Structural Analysis in Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) 本句有一個主句（「副處長陳德強為不使用緊急警示系統辯護」），其後跟隨一個現在分詞短語（「認為其不適合」）解釋原因。然後並列連詞「但」引入一個讓步從句（「承認應該更早發出四級警報」）。讓步從句包含一個名詞性從句（「應該更早發出四級警報」），其中使用情態動詞完成式「should have been raised」表達過去的義務或批評。
Committee Chairman Mr Justice David Lok Kai-hong observed that the Buildings Department may not identify all fire hazards at construction sites, implying a potential oversight gap.
Structural Analysis in English The main clause is "Committee Chairman Mr Justice David Lok Kai-hong observed that...". The verb "observed" is followed by a noun clause ("that the Buildings Department may not identify all fire hazards at construction sites") as its object. Then a present participial phrase ("implying a potential oversight gap") modifies the entire preceding clause, indicating a logical consequence or inference.Structural Analysis in Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) 主句為「委員會主席陸啟康法官觀察到……」。動詞「觀察到」後接一個名詞性從句（「屋宇署可能無法識別建築工地上的所有火災隱患」）作為賓語。然後一個現在分詞短語（「暗示可能存在監管漏洞」）修飾整個前句，表示邏輯結果或推論。
Yeung countered that interference between departments could cause role overlap, maintaining that FSD monitors fire installations while building authorities handle structural safety.
Structural Analysis in English The main clause is "Yeung countered that...". The verb "countered" is followed by a noun clause ("that interference between departments could cause role overlap"). Then a present participial phrase ("maintaining that FSD monitors fire installations while building authorities handle structural safety") provides additional explanation. Within this participial phrase, there is a subordinate noun clause ("that FSD monitors fire installations while building authorities handle structural safety") which itself contains a subordinate adverbial clause of contrast ("while building authorities handle structural safety").Structural Analysis in Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) 主句為「楊恩賜反駁說……」。動詞「反駁說」後接一個名詞性從句（「部門之間的干預可能導致角色重疊」）。然後一個現在分詞短語（「堅持認為消防處監察消防裝置，而建築當局負責結構安全」）提供額外解釋。在此分詞短語內，有一個名詞性從句（「消防處監察消防裝置，而建築當局負責結構安全」），該從句本身包含一個對比狀語從句（「而建築當局負責結構安全」）。