Expert Testimony on the Causes of the Wang Fuk Court Fire
關於王福苑火災起因的專家證詞
Introduction
An independent committee has heard expert evidence explaining the building design and material failures that allowed the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to spread so quickly.
一個獨立委員會已聽取專家證據，解釋大埔王福苑火災之所以擴散如此迅速，是因為建築設計與物料失效所致。
Main Body
Professor Asif Sohail Usmani from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University testified about the systemic failures that occurred on November 26, 2025. He emphasized that the building's recessed lightwells acted like vertical shafts, creating a 'chimney effect' that pushed hot gases and smoke upward. This process caused heat to build up against the walls, which led to a rapid 'flashover' and allowed flames to jump quickly from lower floors to upper residential units.
香港理工大學的 Asif Sohail Usmani 教授就 2025 年 11 月 26 日發生的系統性失效提供了證詞。他強調，大廈內凹入的天井如同垂直豎管，造成了「煙囪效應」，將高溫氣體與煙霧向上推。這個過程導致熱力在牆邊積聚，進而引發快速的「閃燃」，使火焰迅速從低層跳至高層的住宅單位。
Furthermore, the expert pointed out that flammable materials played a critical role. He noted that wooden planks, cardboard, and foam boards on the exterior walls, as well as non-fire-resistant scaffolding nets, helped the fire spread. Comparing this to the Grenfell Tower disaster in London, Professor Usmani argued that following basic material standards is not enough if the overall structure remains vulnerable. Consequently, he suggested a total ban on combustible materials on the facades of buildings being renovated, especially when they are close to other towers.
此外，專家指出易燃物料扮演了關鍵角色。他注意到外牆上的木板、紙板與泡沫板，以及不防火的鷹架網，都助長了火勢擴散。Usmani 教授將此次事故與倫敦的格林菲爾塔（Grenfell Tower）災難相比，認為若整體結構依然脆弱，僅符合基本物料標準是不夠的。因此，他建議全面禁止在翻新大廈的外牆使用可燃物料，特別是當這些大廈鄰近其他高樓時。
To fix these problems, Professor Usmani proposed several new regulations. He suggested that recessed spaces should be legally classified as vertical shafts and that fire-resistant windows must be installed if flammable materials cannot be completely removed. Additionally, he recommended stricter government supervision for renovation projects taking place in occupied residential buildings.
為了修正這些問題，Usmani 教授提出了幾項新規定。他建議在法律上將凹入空間定義為垂直豎管，且若無法完全移除易燃物料，則必須安裝防火窗。此外，他建議政府對在有人居住的住宅大廈內進行的翻新工程實施更嚴格的監管。
Conclusion
The investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire is now entering its final stage, with closing arguments expected by mid-July.
王福苑火災的調查目前進入最後階段，預計 7 月中將提交結案陳詞。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ Moving from 'Simple' to 'Sophisticated' (A2 → B2)
At an A2 level, you describe things using simple links like and, but, or because. To reach B2, you need to use Logical Connectors—words that act as road signs for the reader to show a cause-and-effect relationship.
🧩 The 'Logic Shift' Analysis
Look at how this article connects ideas. It doesn't just list facts; it builds an argument:
- "Furthermore..." (Instead of and also)
- Usage: Use this when you have already given one point and want to add a second, more important point.
- "Consequently..." (Instead of so)
- Usage: This is a 'power word.' It tells the reader: "Because everything I just mentioned happened, this is the logical result."
- "Additionally..." (Instead of and)
- Usage: Use this to introduce a new piece of information or a new suggestion in a list.
🛠️ Practical Application: The 'Upgrade' Table
| A2 Style (Basic) | B2 Style (Advanced) | Why it's better |
|---|---|---|
| The fire was fast and the wood burned. | The fire spread quickly; furthermore, flammable materials played a critical role. | It shows the materials added to the problem. |
| It was dangerous, so he suggested a ban. | The structure remained vulnerable. Consequently, he suggested a total ban. | It creates a strong link between the danger and the solution. |
| We need fire windows and more supervision. | Fire-resistant windows must be installed. Additionally, he recommended stricter supervision. | It makes the recommendations sound professional and organized. |
💡 Coach's Tip: To sound more fluent, stop using "so" to start sentences in your writing. Replace it with "Consequently" or "As a result." This one change instantly makes your English sound more academic and precise.