20 March 2023, Macau 

Edf. Weng Heng on Rua Um do Bairro da Concórdia in Fai Chi Kei caught fire recently due to the obsolete customer electrical installations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Companhia de Electricidade de Macau – CEM, S.A. (CEM) immediately sent staff to the building to provide support, carry out emergency repair and arrange for power restoration and other works after the fire was put out.

The communal electrical installations of Edf. Weng Heng have all been burned down. The fire has also affected the structure of the building. There were signs of concrete spalling on the floor where the fire broke out. Power supply was restored at 12:30pm today (20 March) after CEM staff installed temporary power installations.

The fire accident once again reflected the lack of regular maintenance and repair of the communal electrical installations of many aging buildings in Macau, which may lead to potential safety hazards. CEM called on citizens to take the issue seriously.  As communal electrical installations are co-owned by the property owners of a building, they must pay attention to the issue and hire experienced electrical contractors to conduct regular maintenance and repair. The company expected this fire accident would induce citizens to be more concerned and stay vigilant about electrical safety in their premises.

In view of the potential hazards at “three-nil” buildings (i.e. without management entities, residents’ organizations and property management companies), CEM shareholders launched the “Safety Upgrade Subsidy Program for Communal Electrical Installations in Low-rise Aging Buildings” as early as December 2020 to subsidize and provide technical support to the upgrade of communal electrical installations in low-rise buildings aged over 30 years with less than seven storeys and immediate danger, in the hope to eliminate the potential safety hazards in electricity use and ensure electrical safety for the long run. The total subsidy of the program is MOP30 million, subsidizing 80% of the total costs of each project, and the remainder will be jointly borne by the property owners. For enquiries, please contact CEM Info Line at 2833 9911 during office hours or visit CEM website at www.cem-macau.com.