Hong Kong gov’t begins public consultation on fire safety reforms after Tai Po fire

“The Hong Kong government has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the city’s fire safety law, six months after the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po. Wang Fuk Court on May 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. According to a government statement on Tuesday, the one-month consultation aims to enhance “public safety, regulatory coherence, enforcement effectiveness and accountability,” as well as to respond to public expectations for improved fire safety following the deadly blaze in November. The proposed amendments will cover the Fire Services Ordinance and three subsidiary pieces of legislation on fire safety equipment in buildings, the professionals who oversee them, and the Fire Services Department’s powers to abate fire hazards, a Security Bureau spokesperson said. “We will also take this opportunity to appropriately enhance the enforcement powers of the Fire Services Department (FSD) in specific areas and combat illicit fuelling activities, among others,” the spokesperson added. See also: ‘Not good enough’: Key points from gov’t departments’ testimony at Tai Po fire inquiry Tuesday marked six months since the fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court on November 26. The blaze, which killed 168 people and displaced thousands of residents, exposed shortcomings in the FSD’s role in overseeing fire safety during major renovation works at densely populated housing estates, with officials pledging reforms at a public inquiry into the tragedy. The entrance to the City Gallery in Central, the venue of a public inquiry into the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, on March 26, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Tuesday’s proposals were made by the government’s Task Force on Strengthening Fire Safety Governance, established after the fire and chaired by Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Members of the public may submit their views on the proposals by email or regular mail until June 25. According to the statement, the government hopes to finalise the proposals and table a bill in the Legislative Council later this year.

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