The Independent Committee investigating the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po held its 11th hearing today (April 13). Senior Fire Officer Hui Kin On of Tai Po Fire Station testified, disclosing further details of the firefighting and rescue operation.
Commission representative Barrister Lee Shu-wun introduced that Hui Kin-on joined the Fire Services Department in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Fire Officer in 2018. As the head of Team B of Tai Po Fire Station, he was among the first firefighters to arrive at the scene on the day of the fire and was the highest-ranking officer among that group.
Evidence shows that in the early stages of the fire, the Fire Services Department received the first fire alarm call at 14:51, reporting that the exterior wall of Wang Cheong House was on fire, with scaffolding burning and explosions occurring. About one minute later, Hui received the dispatch order and arrived at the scene at 14:56, 5 minutes and 5 seconds after the call. The firefighting vehicle was equipped with a mobile terminal displaying basic information about the building on fire, nearby fire safety devices, and whether they were operational. Hui agreed that comprehensive information would aid firefighting efforts.
It is understood that the Fire Services Department formulates emergency fire plans for major maintenance works. Hui said he had participated in drafting such plans, though site visits were not conducted because Wang Fuk Court is an older estate, and firefighters already had sufficient knowledge of it from routine experience. The plan serves as a general response — essentially the minimum requirement — and the incident commander on site could always request additional support if needed.
Hui recounted the firefighting details of that day. Upon arrival, he immediately ordered his colleagues to lay two hose lines. The rear side of Wang Cheong House was the point of origin, with intense fire. He personally went to the front of Wang Cheong House and also saw rapid fire spread, accompanied by heavy smoke. At that time, he did not hear the building's fire alarm sounding. He said he had considered sending personnel inside to activate the alarm, but due to the large fire at Wang Cheong Court and falling scaffolding and debris blocking the building entrances, entry was impossible.
Hui said he determined on the scene that the first responders were already insufficient to handle the fire, so at 15:02, he upgraded the fire to a three-alarm fire to mobilize more resources.
Today's hearing is the third of six hearings in the second round. The remaining three hearings will be held on April 15, 16 and 17.
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