HONG KONG — Chief Executive John Lee apologised on Thursday for the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 168 people last year, as an independent report found the blaze was most likely started by a cigarette and blamed private-sector misconduct and “decades of failure” by government bodies.
“I apologise to the victims as well as the city’s residents,” Lee said, before standing and bowing with top officials. He announced that Housing Secretary Winnie Ho had resigned, the first official to step down over the disaster.
The roughly 1,000-page report found the fire was “most likely caused by a glowing source, likely a cigarette, which ignited paper materials” at the complex in Tai Po, which was under renovation. It said contractors used scaffolding nets that were not fire-retardant, covered windows with flammable foam boards and used fake paperwork to “feign compliance,” the BBC reported.
Four government bodies should bear part of the responsibility, the report said, with the housing department bearing a greater share. Lee promised to criminalise bid-rigging in construction, with fines of up to HK$10 million and 10 years in prison.
The November 2025 blaze was the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980. Of those killed, 114 were aged 65 or older. Authorities have charged seven people and two companies, including with manslaughter, and arrested at least 35.
Sources: BBC News, ABC News (Australia)
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