The Hongfu Garden Fire Case Involves 25 Charges, With 5 Defendants Facing Manslaughter Charges

A significant high-rise community fire erupted in Hongfu Garden, Tai Po, in northern Hong Kong on the afternoon of November 26. (Internet photo)

[People News] In response to the tragic fire incident at Hongfu Garden in Tai Po, the Hong Kong police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced on Wednesday (June 10) that they have formally charged seven individuals and two companies with a total of 25 offences, including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to obstruct justice, and tax evasion. The Hong Kong government has also released a list of 168 victims.

The Hongfu Garden fire is one of the most severe disasters in Hong Kong's history. Given the simultaneous outbreak of fires in seven buildings and the malfunctioning of fire alarms, some fortune tellers and overseas commentators have interpreted it as a man-made “earthly sacrifice scheme.” They question whether this disaster was a “sacrifice” of the lives of Hong Kong citizens to absorb earthly energy for the higher-ups of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to “seize fortune” and change their fate. Some commentators have drawn parallels between this disaster and conspiracy theories circulating online about Chinese male star Yu Menglong being “robbed of fortune for longevity” or “sacrificed,” describing both situations as facing a reality that is being suppressed, with public mourning obstructed, and sparking a mass petition online demanding the truth be revealed. Some netizens speculate that deep political and mystical operations may be involved.

Seven individuals and two companies have been charged, with 5 defendants facing manslaughter charges.

According to reports from The Epoch Times, seven individuals have been charged in connection with the Hongfu Garden fire case, each having played different roles during the major renovation project at Hongfu Garden. The accused include Hou Huajian and He Jianye, who were directors at Hongye; Huang Xiaran, a director at Hongyi; Wu Yue, who served as both a director and registered inspector at Hongyi; and staff member Li Min. Also charged are Huang Xiaran's wife, Zhong Sufen, and his friend, Hong Guowei. 

The two companies facing charges are Hongyi Architects Limited, the engineering consultancy for the renovation project, and Hongye Construction Engineering Limited, the general contractor. 

Among the defendants, five are charged with manslaughter, including three men: 52-year-old He Jianye, 44-year-old Wu Yue, and 40-year-old Huang Xiaran, along with the two companies, Hongye Construction Engineering Limited and Hongyi Architects Limited. 

The charges allege that these defendants unlawfully caused the deaths of 168 individuals between November 26 and December 3, 2025. The case involves five counts of manslaughter, categorised based on the building where the deceased were located. Under Hong Kong law, manslaughter can result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. All defendants facing manslaughter charges are currently denied bail. 

The case was presented in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on the afternoon of June 10 and has been adjourned until September 2 for further proceedings. 

Of the seven defendants, Hou Huajian has been granted bail of 500,000 HKD in cash, while Huang Xiaran's wife, Zhong Sufen, has been granted bail totalling 1,000,000 HKD, which includes cash and a personal guarantee from her mother. During their bail period, both are prohibited from leaving Hong Kong, must not contact witnesses, are required to reside at their reported address, and must report to the police station three times a week. The remaining five defendants are still in custody awaiting trial.

At approximately 7 PM, Hou Huajian left the courthouse by taxi. Meanwhile, Zhong Sufen was reportedly taken away in a police van after failing to provide sufficient bail.

14 Arrested, Facing 25 Charges

As of December 17, 2025, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has arrested 14 individuals, while the police have arrested 22 people in connection with the fire itself.

Investigators suspect that the maintenance work involved may have included issues such as false documentation, irregular procurement practices, and non-compliance with fire safety material standards. Some project personnel are alleged to have concealed relevant information for an extended period.

Luo Beiwen, Chief Investigation Officer of the ICAC, stated that the current prosecutions primarily focus on four areas: alleged fraud in the tendering process of the main contractor, alleged fraud in the engineering supervision process, allegations of money laundering by directors of the engineering consultancy firm, and attempts by some individuals involved to obstruct justice during the investigation.

According to the ICAC investigation, Huang Xiayan, a director of Hongyi Architects Limited, is suspected of colluding with Hou Huajian and He Jianye of Hongye Construction Engineering Limited to conceal Hongye's past litigation records in the bid analysis report and to exaggerate its technical scores.

The ICAC alleges that these individuals misled the owners' corporation and owners of Hongfuyuan, which ultimately led to Hongye successfully winning a major maintenance contract valued at approximately HKD 300 million.

Additionally, the ICAC suspects that some individuals involved attempted to hide or alter information after the incident and even interfered with witness testimonies, resulting in further charges of attempting to obstruct justice.

The police and the ICAC are continuing their investigation into the flow of funds involved, the engineering approval processes, and the relationships between the related companies.

Legal experts suggest that the case, which involves multiple serious offences such as manslaughter, fraudulent engineering bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice, may lead to further criminal charges against additional individuals or companies as the investigation continues.

Tragic toll: 4,000 residents displaced

Three defendants—Huang Xiayan, Wu Yue, and He Jianye—are facing five counts of manslaughter, along with two companies, for allegedly killing 168 people illegally between November 26 and December 3.

The five charges are categorised based on the buildings where the deceased were found: 81 in Hong Cheung Court, 82 in Hong Tai Court, 2 in Hong Sun Court, 2 in Hong Do Court, and 1 in Hong Shing Court.

The first manslaughter charge claims that the defendants illegally killed 81 individuals in Hong Kong.

The fire at Hong Fuk Court broke out on November 26, 2025, while eight residential buildings in the estate were undergoing exterior renovations and major repairs.

The blaze started near the scaffolding of Hong Cheung Court and rapidly spread along the scaffolding and protective netting, engulfing all seven residential buildings in the estate within a short time. Thick smoke filled the air, and multiple explosions were reported.

Due to the fire's alarming speed of spread, official reports confirm that the incident resulted in 168 fatalities, 79 injuries, and left approximately 4,000 residents homeless. This incident has been classified as Hong Kong's first five-alarm fire in 17 years and is among the most severe residential fires in recent decades.

The investigation by the fire department revealed that the materials used for the building's exterior protective net, waterproof tarpaulin, and plastic sheeting exhibited an unusually rapid spread of fire, significantly surpassing the performance of standard compliant fireproof materials. This has raised serious concerns regarding the quality of the construction and the safety of the materials employed.

Following the incident, the police's major crime unit launched an investigation and arrested the directors of the engineering company and engineering consultants on suspicion of manslaughter.

Simultaneously, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) set up a special task force to examine whether the major renovation project at Hong Fu Court was linked to corruption, forgery, and other illegal activities.

This case, commonly referred to as the "Hong Fu Court Century Fire," is not only one of the most severe residential fires in Hong Kong in recent years but could also become one of the largest cases in the history of Hong Kong concerning public works regulation, corporate governance, and integrity investigations.
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