ICAC & poilce: 5 of 7 defendants linked to Wang Fuk fire denied bail

The case jointly filed by ICAC and police against the seven defendants and two firms linked to the Wang Fuk Court fire has been adjourned until September for further hearing.

Five of the seven defendants have been denied bail and remanded in custody.

Police say 35 people have been arrested so far linked to the blaze with seven prosecuted for alleged failure to fulfill their supervision responsibility, resulting in serious casualties. Police say the use of non-flame-retardant safety nets and flammable foam panels as well as the removal of window access for escape routes to allow workers to access the exterior scaffolding are suspected to have seriously affected Wang Fuk Court's fire safety, causing the blaze to spread rapidly.

The ICAC meanwhile says the incident involved bid-rigging, noting that some were allegedly driven by selfish interests, that they not only failed to fulfill their professional responsibilities but also disregarded the lives and property of residents.