A devastating fire in Hong Kong, which claimed five lives and left dozens injured, occurred after a series of serious safety breaches by renovation contractors and was preceded by a revolt by residents who refused to evacuate the building. The tragedy at New Lucky House in Jordan, Kowloon, on April 10, has exposed critical gaps in enforcement and building management.
A Fatal Chain of Events and Ignored Warnings
The blaze erupted on a Wednesday morning in the 16-storey mixed-use building, home to both residents and guesthouses. Firefighters faced an intense battle, taking nearly seven hours to fully extinguish the flames. The toll was severe: five people were killed, and over 40 others required hospital treatment. Investigations quickly pointed to work being carried out on the first-floor premises of a restaurant.
Authorities revealed that contractors had committed multiple, flagrant violations. Naked flames were being used for welding work, but no fire watch was posted to monitor for sparks. Crucially, the contractors had failed to obtain the mandatory "fire permit" from the Fire Services Department for such hazardous activities. This permit is designed to ensure proper safety measures are in place before work begins.
Adding to the peril, investigators found that a fire-resistant curtain, meant to contain sparks and flames, was not deployed. This allowed the fire to spread rapidly from the work site into the building's common areas and stairwells, which became filled with toxic smoke, trapping occupants on upper floors.
The Resident Revolt That Preceded the Disaster
In a chilling precursor to the fatal event, a smaller fire had broken out in the same location just one day earlier, on April 9. Firefighters responded and managed to put out that initial blaze. Recognizing the ongoing danger from the renovation work, they strongly advised all residents of New Lucky House to evacuate the building immediately.
However, in a decision that would have tragic consequences, the majority of residents refused to leave. This collective revolt against the evacuation order meant that when the far more catastrophic fire ignited the next day, the building was still fully occupied. Many were caught off guard as smoke and flames quickly blocked their only escape routes.
Aftermath and Official Response
The Hong Kong government has faced sharp questions in the wake of the fire. The Buildings Department confirmed it had not received any application for renovation work at that restaurant, indicating the work was unauthorized. The Labour Department is also investigating whether occupational safety laws were broken.
In response to public outrage, a multi-departmental task force has been announced. This task force will conduct targeted inspections of 60 older buildings that share a similar design and risk profile to New Lucky House. The goal is to identify and rectify any immediate dangers, particularly focusing on fire safety in common areas and the illegal partitioning of units.
The tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on the chronic issues plaguing Hong Kong's aging building stock, where lax enforcement, illegal renovations, and crowded living conditions create a perfect storm for disaster. It underscores a fatal disconnect between official warnings and the actions of both contractors willing to cut corners and residents reluctant to disrupt their daily lives, with devastating results.
