By Islam El-Sakka
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee issued a rare public apology on Thursday for a residential fire that killed 168 people last November, announcing the resignation of Housing Secretary Winnie Ho and pledging sweeping reforms after an independent investigation blamed corruption and regulatory failures.
Deadliest fire in decades
The Nov. 26, 2025, blaze at Wang Fuk Court, a high-rise housing estate in Tai Po, engulfed seven of its eight towers. The victims included 110 women and 58 men aged from 6 months to 98 years, and a firefighter. Thousands were displaced from the complex, which was undergoing major renovations at the time.
Government accountability
Lee bowed alongside seven senior officials during a news conference, saying he was “deeply saddened” and that the government would implement numerous reform measures. Ho resigned on Wednesday, with Lee stating she “should bear political responsibility” despite no evidence of personal wrongdoing.
Report finds systemic failures
A 1,154-page report by a government-appointed independent committee, released Thursday, concluded the fire was most likely caused by a lit cigarette igniting combustible materials. It found that construction workers had smoked on site, and contractors used non-fire-retardant scaffolding nets and flammable foam boards, putting residents at serious risk to maximize financial gains.
The report identified main contractor Prestige Construction & Engineering Co. and consultant Will Power Architects Co. as the main culprits, accusing them of cutting corners. Both companies and seven individuals were criminally charged in June on 25 counts including manslaughter, money laundering and tax evasion.
The committee also described a “corrupt eco-system” in Hong Kong’s building maintenance sector, citing bid-rigging and recommending its criminalization. It criticized government departments for regulatory lapses and a “slack enforcement attitude,” noting that safety complaints fell into a vacuum.
Agencies under investigation
Lee said the Housing Bureau, Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and Labor Department all bore responsibility and would face a three-month investigation.
Significance of apology
John Burns, professor emeritus at the University of Hong Kong, called the apology “very significant,” noting it marked the first time a chief executive had directly addressed political accountability. He said Ho’s resignation was inevitable to preserve government credibility.
