Residents of Tai Po blaze building misled over renovation project, inquiry told

A public inquiry into Hong Kong's deadly Tai Po fire has heard alarming allegations of systemic corruption in the building renovation project that preceded the tragedy. The judge-led independent committee was told residents of Wang Fuk Court were misled into picking a convicted contractor for the estate's renovation. Furthermore, the committee's leading senior counsel, Victor Dawes, highlighted that an engineering consultant allegedly accepted a monthly stipend to 'rubber stamp' tender evaluation reports, including one that recommended selecting the most expensive contractor option.

Dawes detailed suspicious connections between the winning contractor and five of its competitors, suggesting possible 'under-the-table' relationships. He stated that information from various law enforcement agencies was consistent in finding that bid-rigging and anticompetitive practices were 'widespread and common' in the market, with police noting individuals with triad backgrounds had set up firms to monopolize the renovation business. The fire in November tore through seven of the estate's eight blocks—all of which were under renovation and covered in scaffolding—killing 168 people and leaving nearly 5,000 homeless, making it Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in over 75 years.