Under Hong Kong’s Buildings Ordinance, any person directly concerned with minor works who permits the use of defective or non-compliant materials commits an offence.
A person who carries out, authorises or permits minor works to be carried out in such a manner that causes injury to any person or damage to any property faces a maximum penalty of HK$500,000 (US$63,765) and 18 months’ imprisonment.
Investigations found that Ng, who had been employed by Will Power Architects Company failed to properly supervise the prescribed repair works and failed to ensure that the buildings were “safe”.
Both firms were also suspected of having permitted or authorised the use of non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting, canvases and foam boards to cover windows during works, BD said.
Fireproof windows at emergency staircases were also removed to create openings for easy access, which were covered with non-fire-retardant materials, BD added.
Hong Kong’s Labour Department also filed 25 charges against related parties on Wednesday.
These included the contractor, a project consultant as well as an individual under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, in connection with the deaths of five contractors’ staff during the fire.
The fire, which broke out in November at Wang Fu Court, a government-subsidised housing estate in Tai Po district – was one of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s history.
It lasted almost two whole days and took 2,300 firefighters to put out.
It killed 168 people, including a firefighter – and left thousands of residents homeless.
Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of the fire.