Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

Hong Kong police have made their 16th arrest in connection with last month’s deadly Tai Po blaze, detaining a man on suspicion of manslaughter.

Police earlier arrested 15 people in connection with the fire, which engulfed seven of eight scaffolding-clad residential buildings in the Wang Fuk Court housing estate on November 26, killing 161 and displacing almost 5,000 residents.

Police said on Wednesday that they arrested a man, 48, in Tin Shui Wai. He was the person in charge of the external wall repair subcontractor at the estate, which was undergoing renovations when the blaze broke out. He was later released on bail.

An investigation by the New Territories North regional crime unit is continuing.

Separately, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) said on Wednesday that DNA testing by authorities had identified the remains of a cat and a dog from Wang Fuk Court. The remains were transferred to the SPCA, which has contacted the pet owners to retrieve them.

At least 151 animals were killed in the fire. The NGO said it would maintain close contact with police and support the families affected.

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Hong Kong police make another arrest over deadly Tai Po blaze

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