China orders nationwide fire safety checks after deadly Hong Kong blaze

China has launched a nationwide inspection of fire hazards in high-rise residential and public buildings after a major blaze in Hong Kong killed at least 128 people, with about 200 others still unaccounted for, authorities said.

In a notice issued on Saturday, the Work Safety Committee of the State Council instructed local governments to immediately carry out checks and fix problems in occupied residential towers, office buildings, hospitals and shopping complexes. The campaign aims to prevent accidents linked to renovation work, aging facilities and blocked evacuation routes, the committee said.

The directive comes in the aftermath of Wednesday's fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district. The blaze was first reported at 2:51 pm and quickly escalated to the city's highest alarm level, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and spreading to seven of the development's eight apartment blocks. All visible flames were brought under control by Saturday.

Initial findings indicate the fire started on lower-floor scaffolding and spread rapidly due to flammable insulation materials and bamboo structures used for exterior wall repairs. The buildings were undergoing maintenance at the time, and the outer surfaces were covered with construction netting and other combustible materials, investigators said.

Under the new nationwide measures, checks will target risky renovation practices, such as unapproved construction, use of flammable insulation and hot work like welding in crowded indoor spaces.

Inspectors will also focus on malfunctioning fire-fighting facilities, including fire hydrants, sprinklers, smoke-control systems and emergency exits. Problems such as piles of combustible debris, blocked escape passages and electric bikes parked or charged in hallways are also listed as common hazards requiring immediate attention.

Local authorities have been told to combine self-inspections by building managers with random official checks. Hazards must be fixed without delay, and major issues will be subject to tighter supervision, the notice said. Severe violations will be punished.

Officials said the campaign is intended to close safety loopholes and reduce the risk of large-scale tragedies, particularly in densely populated high-rise communities.