Hong Kong orders building inspections after deadly fire

Hong Kong authorities will inspect 2,500 older residential buildings after a dely fire killed seven people in what an elected official said may have been an unlicensed restaurant operating in an apartment.

fire and building departments will aim to complete review by year-end, a government news release said Monday evening. inspection will cover buildings at least 60 years old and include those that are part-residential, part-commercial.

“In light of risks exposed by this fire accident, I have asked (fire services and building departments) to furr step up inspections to eliminate serious fire safety threats to safeguard people’s lives and property,” Hong Kong leer Carrie Lam said.

Sunday night fire killed seven people and injured 11 ors. Ten people remain hospitalized, seven in critical condition, news release said. de and injured range in from 8 to 48 years old.

apartment where fire started may have been operating as an unlicensed restaurant, according to area’s district council member, Leslie Chan. He said victims were from city's Nepalese community.

Hong Kong media reports said people in restaurant were celebrating Diwali, a major Hindu festival, as well as a birthday. Candles set soundproofing materials on fire, according to reports.

Many Nepalese live in area and work in Hong Kong’s finance, retail and security businesses.

building, which is in Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood in Kowloon, lacked a sprinkler system and people were trapped in back of kitchen, Fire Services Department officer Cheung Kwong-yuen said.

Hong Kong media said fire was deliest since a 2011 blaze that killed nine people.

fire highlights lingering safety issues in older buildings in Hong Kong, one of world’s most densely populated cities. Dely fires used to be a regular occurrence, but have dwindled in recent years as government implemented stricter fire safety measures.

inspections will focus on buildings’ common means of escape and identifying fire hazards. Inspectors may take enforcement actions based on ir findings, including prosecutions, government release said.

fire department will also reach out to various groups to learn more about garing places where religious and cultural activities are held, inspect those places and raise awareness of fire safety among groups.

Pun T. Prakash, president of Hong Kong Nepalese Business Association, said his group will also reach out to community.

“We will suggest m t to have this kind of activity, t to have this kind of club around this area," he said. “We should be following rules and regulations of Hong Kong, how to open a restaurant, how to open a shop. We will also educate m.”

(Im: AP)