Survivors of Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fire in decades are calling on the government to accept responsibility for the tragedy, as an independent inquiry into the incident concluded on Friday. The fire, which broke out last November at Wang Fuk Court, resulted in 169 deaths and displaced thousands of residents. It has been described as the world’s deadliest blaze in a residential building since 1980.
The fire engulfed seven of the estate’s eight high-rise blocks, with many victims elderly—the inquiry revealed that approximately 70 percent of those who died were aged 65 or older. The inquiry was led by a judge and included testimony from counsel Victor Dawes, who stated that the fire “was preventable but not prevented, and foreseeable but not foreseen.” Evidence points to the blaze likely being caused by a lit cigarette carelessly discarded by construction workers renovating the estate.
Residents repeatedly warned authorities about onsite smoking by construction workers, but their complaints were largely ignored. The Hong Kong Labour Department conducted at least 16 inspections after these reports but was unable to enforce action, often referring matters to the Fire Services Department, which deemed the complaints outside their jurisdiction. The Urban Renewal Authority, responsible for the estate's redevelopment, was also criticized for failing to address management complaints and verify contractors’ credentials.
In response to the incident, a comprehensive ban on smoking at construction sites was implemented on the day the inquiry concluded. The government acknowledged “systemic weaknesses,” such as the limited scope and frequency of inspections, but maintained that “the primary causes remained the deceit, inaction and deliberate omissions of private actors.”
Residents expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s response. Dorz Cheung, a resident of Wang Fuk Court, described a “sense of helplessness” and criticized the lack of communication between government departments. “Shouldn’t you actually step forward and apologize, rather than claiming you’re not involved and washing your hands of the whole thing?” he said. Others echoed demands for accountability, calling on officials to apologize collectively rather than deflect responsibility.
Peggy Fung, a resident in her 70s who had lived at the complex for more than 40 years, called the fire “a disaster of the century” and questioned the absence of official apologies. “People like me and my neighbours—we’re not young anymore—why do we still have to endure all this? Why can’t the government be a bit braver and actually do something?” she asked.
Harry Leung, one of the last residents evacuated on the day of the fire, said the government holds ultimate regulatory responsibility and should openly acknowledge fault. “All I’m asking is for them to say, ‘sorry, it was our fault,’ and to take responsibility,” he said. Another longtime resident, Betty Ho, added that officials cannot avoid accountability by denying involvement, emphasizing that had authorities “gone the extra mile,” the tragedy might have been averted.
As the inquiry closed, many survivors remain hopeful that the government will implement reforms to prevent future catastrophes and provide justice for those affected.