A creditor filed a winding-up petition on Monday against the main contractor behind the renovation of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which was devastated by a deadly fire in November, local media reported.  

Petitioner Chan Yim field the case against Prestige Construction and Engineering Company Ltd at the High Court after the contractor allegedly failed to pay workers in another renovation project in Tuen Mun, according to the reports.

Following the deadly fire that broke out on Nov 26 at Wang Fuk Court and claimed 168 people’s lives, the company, along with two directors Ho Kin-yip and Hau Wa-kin, and nine other defendants, were charged with manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, among other charges.

ALSO READ: 25 charges levied against 7 people, 2 companies in deadly Tai Po fire

Prestige was also the main contractor for another renovation project at Elegance Gardens in Tuen Mun, with Wing Shun (Hong Kong) Engineering Ltd as the subcontractor. Both companies were accused of workers’ wage defaults, the reports said, adding that a separate winding-up petition was filed against Wing Shun by the creditor on Monday.

The case was scheduled for a hearing on Sept 23.

Another winding-up petition case - which was filed in June against Will Power Architects Company Ltd, the consultancy firm for the building renovation project at Wang Fuk Court – was scheduled to be heard on Sept 16, the reports said.

Several individuals - including Will Power’s director Wong Hap-yin, Prestige’s directors Ho and Hau, Will Power’s registered inspector Ng Yeuk, and five other persons - along with the two companies, were charged in June with 20 counts of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

READ MPRE: Bulk of Wang Fuk Court flat owners agree ownership sale to govt

Five of the defendants - Wong, Ho, Ng, Prestige, and Will Power - were also charged with five counts of manslaughter. The case was adjourned to Sept 2 for further hearing.