Hong Kong apologizes for the fire that killed 168 people, and its housing chief resigns

Almost a year after the Wang Fuk Court fire, Hong Kong published the official report on October 29 explaining what went wrong. The conclusion is harsh: the government was partly to blame.

What happened

The fire broke out on November 26, 2025, at this housing estate in Tai Po, which was undergoing renovation work. The flames spread across the scaffolding and reached seven buildings.

168 people died, 114 of them aged over 65. More than 4,600 residents lost their homes.

It is the deadliest fire in a residential building anywhere in the world since 1980.

What the report says

- The most likely cause was a cigarette that set paper materials alight on a rooftop. - The scaffolding nets did not meet standards and helped the fire spread. - It names the contractor Prestige Construction & Engineering and the consultancy Will Power Architects as the main culprits, for cutting corners on safety. - Four public bodies, including the Housing, Buildings and Fire Services departments, failed in their oversight. - It makes 120 recommendations, such as punishing bid-rigging in construction.

The document runs to about 1,000 pages.

Apology and resignation

Chief Executive John Lee and other senior officials bowed before the cameras to apologize.

Housing Secretary Winnie Ho is leaving her post. She is the first senior official to step down over the fire.

The courts

Seven people and two companies have already been charged, some with manslaughter, and at least 35 people have been arrested. The civil servants involved will also be investigated.