An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades heard closing arguments Friday detailing how improper construction practices and evaded regulatory oversight transformed a minor blaze into a catastrophic tragedy.
The November fire tore through seven buildings of the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in the suburban Tai Po district, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of residents, many of whom remain in temporary housing.
Lead counsel Victor Dawes told the hearing that the use of non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting was a primary factor in the fire’s rapid spread across the complex, which was undergoing major renovations. He added that wooden planks boarding up staircase windows funneled thick smoke into primary escape routes.
Dawes alleged that the project’s consultancy, Will Power Architects Company, and main contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., cut corners on materials and workmanship while deceiving regulators and homeowners. He cited various substandard practices, including falsified inspection compliance, noting that certain professionals responsible for oversight merely “rubber-stamped” documents.
Dawes also criticized the government’s reliance on an honor system for project oversight, arguing that relevant departments must bear responsibility. “When faced with dishonest bad actors, the entire system collapsed,” he said.
Several residents wept during the hearing’s conclusion on Friday.
On Thursday, government lawyer Jenkin Suen acknowledged systemic vulnerabilities but contested the characterization of government departments as instigators of the fire. He argued that certain professionals and contractors abused a mechanism designed to protect the public and betrayed the trust placed in them.
Jeffrey Tam, representing nine Wang Fuk Court residents, noted that some witnesses appeared intent on shirking responsibility, fueling the anger of those affected. He warned that such deflection would not help the city uncover the truth.
The committee, led by High Court Judge David Lok, is expected to issue recommendations regarding the fire’s cause, systemic issues, and the adequacy of current regulations and penalties. A release date for the findings has not been set.
The committee’s mandate does not extend to determining legal liability, which will be pursued by law enforcement authorities.
Last month, Hong Kong authorities charged seven individuals and two companies—including Will Power and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co.—with offenses including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud in connection with the fire.
