Wang Fuk blaze was 'preventable and forseeable'

A senior counsel of the independent committee probing the deadly blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court said on Friday that the fire that took 168 lives was preventable and foreseeable.

The remarks from Victor Dawes came as he delivered a 627-page closing address on the last day of the final hearing.

"With all this evidence, it is clear that the fire at Wang Fuk Court on 26, November 2025 was preventable but not prevented, and foreseeable but not foreseen."

He criticised the contractors for knowingly breaching regulations and deceiving the government with the aim of minimising costs, and the consultants of not fulfilling their roles.

This he said "merits the committee's strongest condemnation".

The senior counsel questioned whether loopholes existed in regulations relating to building works, causing contractors to possibly pass off substandard work, leading to obvious fire hazards.

Even though the committee does not see government departments as the culprit of the fire, Dawes said that it was of reasonable expectation that the public believed the government could protect them.

Dawes said that the regulatory responsibility for the incident lies with the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit (ICU), Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and Labour Department.

But the ICU had not offered any effective regulatory oversight during the renovations and did not carry out any site visits unless there were complaints.

"Residents repeatedly raised concerns but the ICU repeatedly failed to investigate," Dawes added.

He pointed out that while various parties, including the contractors, have to shoulder major responsibility for being the main cause of the blaze, the government also has to ensure oversight and protect residents.

Relevant government departments should also bear some responsibility, he said, highlighting the need for a systemic reform.

Dawes noted that the while the government's legal representative did not agree that there is a regulatory vacuum, it appeared that residents' complaints had fallen into a grey area.

The senior counsel also pointed out that a small number of people were unwilling to testify at the hearing, describing it as regrettable.

Some of them provided written statements to the committee, including Tai Po district councillor Wong Pik-kiu and Mui Siu-fung, Dawes said.

He added that there is currently no evidence showing that the duo had participated in bid rigging.

“These Closing Submissions have made serious criticisms of a number of parties. They have not been made lightly,” he said.

Dawes added that the lessons of the tragedy are painful, but they must be confronted to make Hong Kong a safer place.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...