Probe of HK’s deadliest fire in decades begins hearings
An independent committee investigating the cause of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has heard that a series of faults allowed the blaze to burn down seven buildings and kill 168 people.
Former residents and relatives of those killed have been waiting for answers since November 2025, when a fire tore through the close-knit community of Wang Fuk Court, which was home to thousands of people in the Tai Po suburban district.
In his opening statement, the committee’s lead lawyer, Victor Dawes, said the fire was suspected to have started on a platform in the light well outside the two low-level units, and noted that cigarette butts were found there and on the scaffolding.
Dawes said the evidence showed that many factors combined to lead to the disaster, from turning off fire alarms and hose systems to using scaffolding netting without fire retardant and covering windows with foam sheets.
“On the day of the fire, almost all fire safety systems intended to protect lives failed due to human factors,” he said.
The fire broke out on November 26 and quickly engulfed seven of the eight buildings in the apartment complex. Many people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, fraud or corruption.
The judge-led committee, established in December, will also examine whether there are systemic problems such as bid rigging in large-scale building maintenance and renovation works. The government said at the time that the committee’s work was expected to take nine months.
After hearing the lawyers’ opening statement, the committee will hear oral evidence from witnesses, including residents of Wang Fuk Court. Various government departments are participating in the hearings.
Phyllis Lo, who lost her mother in the fire, said before the hearing that she hoped to hear findings from different parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
Another resident, Seneca Lee, said she wanted to know what caused the fire to spread through so many buildings and kill so many people.
Many of the apartment complex’s former residents live in temporary housing scattered around the city.
Hong Kong authorities last month offered to restore home ownership rights to fire victims, citing the results of a survey of residents’ preferences. However, this dashed the hopes of those who wanted to rebuild their homes in the area.
Hong Kong leader John Lee said the government was working on plans to allow affected residents to visit their homes and retrieve some of their belongings in April.
