Residents of Wang Fuk Court on Tuesday told an independent committee probing the inferno there last year that they did not hear any fire alarms when the blaze broke out.

Ko Yee-lui from Wang Cheong House, believed to be the first of seven blocks to catch fire, said her television suddenly lost its signal, and moments later she smelled something burning.

When she noticed smoke in her flat and opened the door, the corridor was already shrouded in a white haze, she added.

Another resident in the same block, Tse Yuk-wa, became emotional and broke down in tears during her testimony. She said the building’s fire alarm did not sound as she tried to escape and she had no way to alert all her neighbours.

She added that when a contractor involved in renovation works began putting up scaffolding at the estate, she had filmed a worker smoking on the scaffolding and worried it could start a fire.

Tse said she is very sensitive to the smell of smoke and often noticed it.

Another resident, Leung Ho-hin who lived in Wang Shing House, said he saw a neighbour try to fight the fire with a hose reel, but no water came out.

The hearing was set to continue on Thursday.


Edited by Thomas McAlinden