Deadly blaze raises concerns over subdivided flats at fire-hit Man Yuen Building
發佈日期: 2026-05-22 20:03
TVB News
The fire-stricken Man Yuen Building in Yau Ma Tei had been undergoing major renovation works since last year.
Flames-retardant mesh installed on the external scaffolding may well have helped prevent the blaze from spreading further.
Industry representatives say the contractor had also implemented sufficient fire prevention measures.
Man Yuen Building previously underwent major renovation works in 2016.
Last year, the building received at least four orders from the Buildings Department and Fire Services Department, requiring further repair works.
A hole could be seen in the scaffold mesh outside the unit where the fire erupted, while nearby sections of the mesh remained intact. This resident says the scaffold mesh was newly replaced because renovation works were suspended last December and resumed around March or April, when the new mesh was put up.
Following the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, the government ordered all buildings undergoing maintenance works across Hong Kong to replace scaffold coverings with flame-retardant mesh.
The Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union says several other factors also helped slow the spread of the fire.
Chow Sze-kit of the union says bamboo scaffolding is not highly flammable.
Another reason is that no construction materials were seen piled up on the scaffolding.
He says, during exterior renovation works, replacing mosaic tiles often produces a lot of paper scraps, which are highly flammable.
Man Yuen Building was built more than 60 years ago with an extremely high population density.
In recent years, many flats there have been subdivided into even tinier units.
The fire-ravaged flat this time had reportedly been split into nine separate subdivided units.
Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Chan Siu-tong says many residents have long been worried about the large number of subdivided flats and fire hazards.
The original flat measures around 900 square feet.
After subdivision and corridors are added, each unit is only about 80 square feet.
Currently, the government is drafting legislation to regulate subdivided flats.
Only units meeting official requirements will be eligible for registration as so-called "Basic Housing Units."
Kowloon West lawmaker Vincent Cheng suggests even if landlords are unable to complete renovations immediately, they should at least provide basic fire safety equipment.
A district councillor says cracks had already appeared on the building's exterior walls several years ago, and signs of subsidence can be seen.
