Hongfu Garden Hearing | Orphaned Son: Called the Fire Department Twice Asking About Foam Plastic Window Sealing

The Hong Fuyuan fire independent committee held its 5th hearing today. When Su Xiaofeng, a resident of the Hongzhi Pavilion who lost his parents in the blaze, was giving evidence, he said that as early as the beginning of the major refurbishment, he had already been concerned about the flammability of window enclosures made with expanding foam, and that he had called the Fire Services Department twice to make inquiries. He said he was advised to file a complaint and to check with the Buildings Department. He also mentioned that, at an earlier hearing, he learned that the fallen firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, was the one who rescued his parents. He said he wanted to thank and apologize to the firefighter’s family. “Please allow me to say one thing—I’m sorry. Please let Ho Wai-ho’s family take good care.”

At the hearing, two recorded audio clips provided by the Fire Services Department were played. They were Su Xiaofeng’s calls made on September 13, 2024 and later on September 30 of the same month. During the first call, he asked whether there was any problem with sealing windows with flammable expanding foam. The other party replied that there were no regulations requiring window enclosures to be made from particular materials, and suggested that if he had concerns, he could file a complaint and then the Fire Services Department would dispatch personnel to inspect. Su Xiaofeng later called the Fire Services Department again on September 30 to inquire, and the other party also said there were no relevant regulations governing the matter. Su said at the time that he was worried it could turn out like the high-rise fire in the UK. The other party then said that the materials for the major refurbishment were followed up by the Buildings Department, and that he could check with them whether the work was compliant.

Su Xiaofeng also recalled that on the day of the fire, at 3:07 p.m., he received a call from his mother. He said that there was fire, and that he would go downstairs together with his father. After that, the mother said, “This time it’s over,” and then did not speak again. The committee’s barrister, Du Gan-kun, mentioned that on the first day of the hearing, recordings of his parents’ emergency calls had been played, and that they could be played again once Su’s emotions had settled. Su Xiaofeng said he could not imagine how lost and helpless they were at the time.