A Hong Kong inquiry hears that nearly all life-saving fire safety measures failed in a 2025 blaze that killed 168 people, with human factors and substandard materials blamed
HONG KONG: Almost all life-saving fire safety measures failed on the day a devastating blaze tore through a Hong Kong housing complex last year. The November 26 fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people, making it the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
Leading counsel Victor Dawes told an independent committee that the blaze had “left a scar that is hard to forget” on the city’s collective memory. “Based on the evidence gathered, on the day of the fire almost all of the life-saving fire safety measures failed because of human factors,” Dawes said on the first day of public hearings.
He described the incident as a “facade fire” and the “combined result of multiple factors”. The complex’s eight residential towers were undergoing renovations and covered in bamboo scaffolding, protective netting and foam boards at the time.
Dawes said evidence suggested contractors used substandard netting that burned quickly. “Residents had clearly been misled,” he stated, presenting photos and videos shown to the panel.
Footage played at the hearing showed flames shooting up a building and scaffolding falling. Voices in one clip could be heard saying, “There’s no fire alarm,” while other evidence showed inoperable fire hoses and alarms.
Dawes said falling bamboo had “created extreme difficulty for firefighters” and blocked a main escape route. He also indicated the fire’s cause might never be conclusively found, though it was “very likely cigarette butts,” noting residents had repeatedly complained about workers smoking on site.
More than 4,600 people lived in the complex at the time, including over 1,700 aged 60 or older. A 69-year-old former resident surnamed Law expressed anger, stating, “There were a lot of problems on top of problems that were covered up.”
Yip Ka-kui, 68, who lost his wife and home, said some hearing information was “pretty explosive”. “We pray that we will receive the truth,” he told reporters.
The committee has collected more than a million documents for its investigation. Government officials, former residents, construction firm directors and complex management members are expected to appear at future hearings.
Separate criminal investigations are also underway. Police have arrested 38 people on charges including manslaughter and fraud, while the anti-graft watchdog has arrested 23 others.
