Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Consultant Touted Contractor’s 'Clean' Record Before Wang Fuk Court Fire, Documents Show

The presentation to homeowners is at odds with Labour Department files detailing prior fines for safety violations.

The office of Prestige Engineering & Construction Co., the contractor responsible for renovating Wang Fuk Court, closed following a deadly fire at the housing complex in Hong Kong, China December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Mei Mei Chu
Smoke rises while flames burn bamboo scaffolding on a building at Wang Fuk Court housing complex during a deadly fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
A general view shows the damaged towers at Wang Fuk Court housing complex following a deadly fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
Flames and thick smoke rise from multiple residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex during a deadly fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo

Overview

  • An undated Will Power Architects slideshow told residents Prestige had no Labour Department prosecutions, according to documents reported by Reuters.
  • Official records show Prestige was fined HK$309,000 for 15 workplace safety breaches between 2016 and 2019, including issues with scaffolding and electrical work.
  • Prestige won a HK$330 million refurbishment contract after receiving a high bid grade from Will Power among 57 bidders, and the approved cost later more than doubled as the scope expanded.
  • Authorities say at least 159 people died in the Nov. 26 Wang Fuk Court blaze and have identified non‑compliant scaffolding mesh and highly flammable foam boards used during renovation.
  • Police and the ICAC are pursuing manslaughter and corruption inquiries, with arrests reported of at least three people linked to Prestige and four from Will Power.