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 a living space of just five square metres (54 sq ft) on average. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin was referring to a blaze 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