ellieyuen.said【宏福苑大火懶人包】十七年來最嚴重火災 3.3億維修費換來了甚麼？Deadliest Fire in 17 Years: How Did HK$330M Lead to Disaster?👉🏻這場災難的重點，不僅在於火勢，更在於大火背後那項耗資3.3億港元（4200萬美元）的維修工程。The focus of this disaster is not just the blaze itself, but the HK$330 million ($42m) renovation project behind it.1️⃣What happened?On Nov 26, a Level 5 alarm fire engulfed Wang-fuk Estate in Tai Po,Hong Kong. Flames raced up the external bamboo scaffolding. At least 39 are dead, with approximately 280 residents lost contact. Search and rescue is still underway.2️⃣How bad is level 5?This is Hong Kong’s first Level 5 fire in 17 years (since the 2008 Cornwall Court fire). Meanwhile, just 18 months prior (April 2024), the New Lucky House fire killed five under similar renovation circumstances. 3️⃣What about the $330M?The Owners’ Corporation selected the most expensive of three proposed renovation options. Costing HK$330M, the “full hacking proposal” was HK$150 million more expensive than the alternatives.Since early 2024, construction expert Jason Poon has flagged the Wang-fuk renovation. He repeatedly warned that the scaffolding mesh appeared non-compliant and failed to meet fire-retardant standards.4️⃣Possible profit incentivesCompliant fire-retardant mesh costs 6-10 times more than standard mesh. Poon estimated a HK$20/sqm difference, creating a HK$4 million profit incentive for contractors to cut corners. Residents conducted their own flammability tests showing the material was highly combustible; these findings were submitted to authorities but seemingly ignored.5️⃣Is there a shield?When residents and experts tried to expose issues, District Councilor Peggy Wong sided with the OC.In an August 2024 Facebook post, Wong dismissed scrutiny as ”demonic rumors“ (妖言惑眾) and urged support for the OC to keep the project moving ”in full swing.“💸If a HK$330 million renovation cannot guarantee basic non-flammable materials, what are residents actually paying for? Why were test results ignored by regulators? And when legitimate safety warnings are dismissed as ”rumors,“ who will be held responsible for the fire‘s deadly reality?Text: Ellie Yuen (REPOST, don’t copy🙏🏻)

mingpaonews【大埔宏福苑大火】大埔宏福苑發生五級大火。據悉，至今已有12人身亡、16人受傷，死者包括一名消防員。入夜後火勢仍然猛烈，多個單位陷於火海，大部分棚架圍網亦被燒毁。其中宏福苑宏仁閣於約6時35分突然起火，火勢猛烈，傳出多下爆炸聲，火舌飄出半空。特首李家超對大火極度關注，並主持跨部門緊急會議。李家超已即時啟動緊急事故監察及支援中心，指示部門全力做好滅火救援救治工作，全力協助受火警影響的居民。醫管局亦已啟動應急機制，全力救治傷者。對於有消防人員執行職務時殉職，李家超表示極度哀傷，並對死者家屬和傷者致以深切慰問。#明報 #明報即時新聞

香港の集合住宅で大規模な火災が発生しました。現在も燃えていて、これまでに4人が死亡し、3人が負傷しています。 　26日午後3時ごろ、香港北部の大埔にある集合住宅で火災が発生しました。 　外壁に取り付けられた竹でできた工事用の足場が激しく燃えています。 　火災は建物全体に広がっているほか、隣接する集合住宅にも延焼しています。 　現地メディアによりますと、これまでに4人が死亡し、3人がけがをし...