Fatal subdivided flat fire highlights need to tackle substandard homes: minister

A fatal fire at a subdivided flat on Thursday has highlighted the need to eradicate substandard housing in Hong Kong, the housing minister has said, noting that affected residents had an average living space of just five square metres (54 sq ft).Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin was referring to Thursday’s blaze in a subdivided flat that killed one resident and injured four others, saying it underscored the importance of the new Basic Housing Units Ordinance.“In the flat [where the tragedy occurred], each resident had an average living space of just 5 square metres, presenting numerous fire safety hazards,” Ho told a radio programme on Saturday.