Residents of Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court were incorrectly told that Prestige Construction & Engineering had a clean safety record before the company won a HK$330 million renovation contract—months before a catastrophic fire killed at least 159 people.
Documents reviewed by Reuters show consultant Will Power Architects assured homeowners the contractor had no Labour Department prosecutions, despite Prestige having more than a dozen industrial-safety violations and fines between 2016 and 2019, including faulty electrical work and unsafe scaffolding.
Prestige had also been penalised by the Buildings Department for misconduct in earlier projects. Residents repeatedly raised concerns about fire hazards, workers smoking on-site, and the use of flammable materials such as foam boards and substandard mesh.
They attempted to remove Prestige but were blocked by the previous homeowners’ board, with the effort delayed seven months before a leadership change. Even after new oversight groups were formed, hazards persisted. Authorities now allege Prestige mixed compliant and non-compliant materials to mislead inspectors.
Multiple people linked to Prestige and Will Power have been arrested as manslaughter and corruption investigations continue.
Residents say warnings were ignored, and some, like a retired electrician who replaced flammable materials himself, were unable to prevent the tragic outcome.
The first images from inside Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court show the horrifying aftermath of the city’s deadliest fire in decades charred hallways, collapsed beams, and entire homes reduced to ash. With 146 confirmed dead and dozens missing, grief and anger continue to mount.… pic.twitter.com/CqXdhyhN7A
— The Daily Jagran (@TheDailyJagran) December 1, 2025
Yes AI tells a very dodgy safety record
Looks like these cockroaches have been exposed and had a light shone on them
And will go scurrying for cover