An investigation into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades begins an evidentiary hearing

Hong Kong — An independent panel investigating the cause of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades launched its first inquiry into the report on Thursday, hearing that a series of failures was responsible for the blaze that gutted seven buildings and killed 168 people.

Former residents and relatives of the dead have been waiting for answers since November 2025, when the fire tore apart the close-knit community of Wong Phuc Court, which houses thousands of people in the suburban district of Tai Po.

In his opening statements, the committee’s lead lawyer, Victor Dawes, said the fire was most likely caused by cigarettes igniting other items on a platform in a light well between two lower-level units at Wong Chiang House. Burnt paper boxes and cigarette sticks were found at the spot, he said.

But Dawes cautioned that there was no direct evidence that the fire was caused by smoking, noting that workers had broken a rule against smoking outside designated areas.

Evidence showed that many factors combined to cause the disaster, from shutting down fire alarms and hose systems to the use of fire-resistant scaffolding nets and covering windows with foam boards, he said. Staircase windows were removed, allowing smoke and fire to enter the occupants’ escape routes, he said.

“On the day of the fire, all fire safety systems to protect lives failed due to human factors,” he said.

The fire broke out on November 26 and quickly engulfed seven of the apartment complex’s eight buildings. Several people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, fraud or corruption.

A judge-led panel formed in December will examine whether systemic problems such as bid-rigging exist 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 opening statements from lawyers, the committee will hear oral testimony from witnesses, including residents of Wong Phuc Court. Various government departments are involved in the inquiry.

Before the hearing, Phyllis Low, who lost her mother in the fire, said she hoped to hear findings from different sides to gain a comprehensive understanding of the incident.

Another resident, Seneca Lee, said she wanted to know what caused the deadly fire.

Many of the former residents of the apartment complex live in temporary housing scattered across the city. Hong Kong authorities last month proposed buying back home ownership rights from fire victims, citing the results of a survey of residents’ preferences. But it has dashed the hopes of some who want to rebuild their homes on the site.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Tuesday that the government was working on a plan to allow affected residents to visit their apartments and retrieve some of their belongings in April.