Hong Kong Fire: ISS EastPoint Admits Failing Wang Fuk Court Safety Checks

Hong Kong’s property management firm for the Wang Fuk Court estate, ISS EastPoint, failed to follow contractual obligations to identify and address fire hazards in the lead-up to the devastating November 2025 blaze that claimed 168 lives, an independent inquiry heard on Wednesday. No senior management from ISS EastPoint testified during the eighth day of hearings into the tragedy.

The inquiry focused on the testimony of Cheng Tsz-ying, a property officer at ISS EastPoint, who admitted the company’s shortcomings in fire safety protocols. The hearing revealed that ISS EastPoint did not verify votes cast in ballots deciding major issues at the housing estate, raising concerns about the integrity of decision-making processes.

According to reporting from the South China Morning Post, Cheng’s testimony centered on the company’s failure to adequately respond to identified fire risks. This admission comes after previous testimony revealed that fire alarms were deactivated months before the fire, and that workers were instructed to release water from fire tanks without the necessary licenses.

The independent committee investigating the disaster, led by counsel Victor Dawes, has previously identified the deactivation of the fire alarm system as one of six key factors contributing to the tragedy. The inquiry has also heard evidence suggesting potential bid-rigging related to the HK$336 million (US$55 million) renovation project undertaken by Prestige Construction and Engineering.

Earlier in the week, ISS EastPoint clerk Lok Sin-ying testified that she was unaware of the fire alarm system’s deactivation despite handling related shutdown notices. Witnesses including a building attendant, a technical officer, a carpenter, and an electrician also provided testimony on Wednesday.

The Strait Times reported that the Wang Fuk Court fire was caused by “multiple parties’ thoughtless actions and possible bid rigging.” The inquiry has revealed that Prestige Construction used substandard materials and that residents’ complaints regarding safety concerns were ignored.

The renovation project, which ran from May to August 2025, involved releasing water from all water tanks to prepare for maintenance. Electrician Law Kwok-shui, who is not licensed to deal with fire safety equipment, testified that he was ordered to assist with this task and informed his supervisor, Lok Sin-ying, that only licensed workers should handle such equipment. Law claimed Lok told him to follow the orders, a claim Lok denied.

The inquiry continues, with further hearings scheduled to examine the roles of other contractors involved in the renovation project, including Victory Fire Engineering and Will Power Architects. Investigations are ongoing, and arrests have been made for manslaughter and fraud, according to the Strait Times.

The fire, which broke out on November 26, 2025, and raged for approximately 43 hours, displaced nearly 5,000 residents. The Hong Kong government has acknowledged failings in the oversight of the renovation project and the enforcement of fire safety regulations.