Hong Kong’s deadliest fireplace: Probe begins proof hearings

An unbiased committee investigating the reason for Hong Kong’s deadliest fireplace in a long time on Thursday (March 19, 2026) heard {that a} sequence of failures contributed to the blaze, which burnt seven buildings and killed 168 individuals, because it opened its first listening to on the proof.

Former residents and family of the useless have been ready for solutions since November 2025, when the fireplace shattered the close-knit group of Wang Fuk Courtroom, which housed hundreds of individuals within the suburban district of Tai Po.

In his opening remarks, the committee’s lead lawyer Victor Dawes stated the fireplace is suspected to have began at a platform in a lightweight properly exterior two low-level models, noting that cigarette butts have been discovered there and on scaffolding.

Mr. Dawes stated the proof confirmed that a number of elements got here collectively to provide the catastrophe, starting from fireplace alarms and hose methods being shut off to the usage of non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting and masking home windows with foam boards.

“On the day of the fireplace, practically all fireplace security methods meant to guard lives failed due to human elements,” he stated. The fireplace broke out on November 26, 2025 and rapidly engulfed seven of the residence complicated’s eight buildings. A lot of individuals have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, fraud or corruption.

The judge-led committee, arrange in December, may also look at if systemic issues corresponding to bid-rigging existed in large-scale constructing upkeep and renovation works. The federal government stated on the time that the committee’s work was anticipated to take 9 months.

After listening to the opening remarks from legal professionals, the committee will hear oral proof from witnesses, together with Wang Fuk Courtroom residents. Varied authorities departments are concerned in hearings.

Earlier than the listening to, Phyllis Lo, who misplaced her mom within the fireplace, stated she hopes to take heed to the findings from totally different sides to get a complete understanding of the incident. One other resident Seneca Lee stated she wished to know what precipitated the fireplace unfold by way of so many buildings and killed so many individuals.

Many former occupants of the residence complicated reside in short-term housing scattered throughout the town. Hong Kong officers final month proposed to purchase again the homeownership rights from the fireplace victims, citing outcomes from a survey of residents’ preferences. However that dashed the hopes of some who wish to rebuild their properties on the website.

Hong Kong chief John Lee on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) stated the federal government is engaged on plans to permit the affected residents to go to their flats and get better a few of their belongings in April.