Renovations done on the building had disregarded safety recommendations and also blocked access to a stairwell by which those trapped on the higher floors could have escaped. "The school did not acquire a permit to begin its operations but was in the midst of applying for one," fire department's director general said. He said his department had come back to the school with recommendations for fire safety, including equipment. He added that the school should have submitted mechanical and engineering drawings prior to the building construction but nothing was submitted. "This also would have made it difficult for victims to escape in an emergency," he said.

Source: The China Post September 15, 2017 07:07 UTC