Chief Executive John Lee has announced the creation of a judge-led independent investigation committee to uncover the causes of the catastrophic fire that swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex last week, killing at least 151 people and injuring nearly 80 others in what has become the city’s deadliest blaze in decades.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lee said the city must “uncover the truth” and ensure “justice is served” after the inferno ripped through seven residential towers in the densely populated Tai Po district, home to more than 4,600 residents. The committee, he said, will examine how the fire started, why it escalated so rapidly, and what systemic failures contributed to the disaster.
Authorities say the blaze began around scaffolding set up for renovation works. Early findings point to a combination of high winds, substandard insulation materials, and illegal mixing of approved and unapproved protective netting — factors that appear to have accelerated the spread of flames up the bamboo scaffolding. Fire alarms in parts of the complex were reportedly malfunctioning at the time.
Lee acknowledged public frustration over the scale of the tragedy, saying failures had been identified at “different stages” of the maintenance process. “We will plug every loophole,” he said, promising sweeping reforms to Hong Kong’s building renovation and safety oversight systems.
The investigation continues to reveal grim details. Emergency teams have searched five of the seven tower blocks, finding victims in stairwells, on rooftops, and in corridors where they were trapped while attempting to flee. About 30 people remain missing, according to officials.
Meanwhile, the police have opened a widening criminal case, arresting 13 people for suspected manslaughter, while the city’s anti-corruption agency has apprehended another 12 individuals linked to irregularities in the renovation project. Tests conducted by authorities show several samples of the green netting used around scaffolding failed fire-retardant standards, contradicting earlier assurances that residents faced “relatively low fire risks.”
Public grief has quickly given way to anger, and several residents and activists calling for accountability have reported arrests. Among them was 24-year-old student Miles Kwan, detained for “seditious intent” after distributing flyers demanding stronger safety reforms. Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticised the move, urging authorities not to treat citizens seeking answers as criminals.
Lee defended the police response, warning against “exploiting the tragedy” for political purposes. China’s national security office echoed that rhetoric, issuing a stern warning to groups it accused of trying to “disrupt Hong Kong through disaster.”
