It is sad that it takes the loss of yet more lives to focus minds and bring a sense of urgency.

The 16-storey block in Yau Ma Tei engulfed in flames on April 10 is called New Lucky Building. This is a misnomer. It is neither new nor lucky. It was built in 1964.

Owners of blaze-hit Hong Kong building in 16-year dispute over fire safety order

Residents endured a nightmare ordeal as flames and smoke spread through the building. Many suffered a terrifying wait of more than an hour before being rescued.

Investigations are under way. Early evidence suggests a discarded cigarette butt might have been responsible. Full details of how the tragedy occurred must be established and revealed.

Attention has quickly turned to safety standards in the building, which contained 35 guest houses and numerous subdivided flats.

It has emerged that the owners’ corporation has still not complied with fire safety orders issued by the Buildings Department in 2008. These include demands for replacing fire doors, installing fire resistant materials and protecting windows. It is staggering the problem has lagged for so long.

But it is only the tip of the iceberg. The Buildings Department has revealed that more than 9,500 properties have failed to comply with such orders.

The overall compliance rate for demands issued by the Buildings and Fire Services departments is a pathetic 37 per cent.

Hong Kong prides itself on being a city governed by the rule of law. Officials have, in recent times, repeatedly stressed the need for laws to be complied with. And yet in certain areas, from illegal structures to construction site safety breaches, the rules seem to be honoured more in the breach than the observance.

The responsibility for ensuring old buildings meet fire safety standards falls upon property owners. But the work is often costly and the process complex. It is not easy to get individual owners to reach agreement on what should be done. This causes delays, but is no excuse for inaction when lives are at stake.

Officials sought views from lawmakers on proposed changes to the fire safety law in September 2021. A public consultation was held in July 2022. Further proposals were put to the Legislative Council in December last year.

Now, we are told, the Security Bureau is still working on draft amendments to be submitted later in the year. The pace of change is glacial.

Reform of the law is urgently needed. It would allow the authorities to step in and carry out fire safety improvement works when owners fail to do so, reclaiming the funds later.

With so much work to be done, priorities will need to be set and support given to owners. But the prospect of the government taking matters into its own hands might help forge a consensus when there are disputes. The proposal also suggests increasing the penalties for breaches.

Hong Kong, with its crowded tower blocks, tiny subdivided flats and outdated safety measures, is one big fire risk. There have been too many tragic warnings.

The government and legislature has shown, with the recent lightning passage of new national security laws, that when they put their mind to something it can be achieved in record speed.

Now, the same urgency should be shown with pressing policy issues involving a risk to life. The fire alarm has been sounded. The need to make the city’s old buildings safe should be treated as an emergency.