Hong Kong panel hears safety measures failed on day of deadly fire

The public hearing into the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong opened on Thursday with a harrowing account of systemic failure. The blaze, which occurred on November 26, 2025, resulted in 168 deaths, making it the deadliest residential building fire globally since 1980. Leading counsel Victor Dawes informed the independent committee that nearly every life-saving measure designed to protect the residents failed due to a combination of human error and technical malfunction.

At the time of the disaster, the high-rise complex in the Tai Po District was undergoing extensive renovations. Seven of the eight residential towers were encased in bamboo scaffolding, protective netting, and foam boards. Experts described the event as a "facade fire," noting that these flammable construction materials likely acted as an accelerant, allowing the flames to engulf entire buildings in less than four minutes and blocking primary escape routes with falling debris.

The hearing highlighted the terrifying experience of the more than 4,600 residents, many of whom were elderly. Video evidence played for the committee showed desperate residents attempting to use fire hoses and manual alarms, only to find them completely inoperable. Public testimony and livestreams of the proceedings drew emotional crowds, including former residents and grieving relatives who expressed outrage over the lack of functional warning systems and the perceived negligence of government officials.

The scope of the investigation is vast, with the judge-led committee reviewing over a million documents to determine if fire safety standards were inadequate or if construction practices were inherently flawed. The inquiry will also scrutinize the conduct of government officers and contractors to identify potential failures in oversight or professional responsibility.

Parallel to the public hearing, significant legal and criminal actions are already underway. Police have arrested 38 individuals on charges including manslaughter and fraud. Additionally, Hong Kong’s anti-graft watchdog, the ICAC, has arrested 23 people—including consultants and members of the building's owners' corporation—as part of a corruption probe linked to the renovation project.