Residents of fire-hit estate urge accountability, compensation as review committee holds first public meeting

2026-02-05 - 11:07

Residents of the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court have called for accountability and fair compensation as a committee set up to probe the cause of the deadly blaze held its first public meeting. Judge David Lok (centre), chair of the independent committee investigating the Wang Fuk Court fire, on February 5, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Speaking during the meeting attended by fire victims on Thursday morning, Senior Counsel Victor Dawes said that the independent committee, which he represents as leading counsel, had received evidence from the authorities including “key information and clues.” Based on that, the committee already has a good understanding of the fire’s cause and the systemic issues behind it, he said at the meeting at City Gallery in Central. Judge David Lok, who leads the committee, said residents were welcome to submit applications to give evidence in the proceedings by February 12. Those whose applications are approved must file their submissions by February 23. The next committee meeting will be on March 19, when the committee will begin examining evidence. It will also be held at the City Gallery. The massive fire at Wang Fuk Court, a government-subsidised housing estate in Tai Po, killed 168 people in late November. The blaze displaced nearly 5,000 people and was the deadliest in Hong Kong in nearly eight decades. Residents’ calls A Wang Fuk Court resident surnamed Chan attended the Thursday meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she demanded accountability from the government. A Wang Fuk Court resident surnamed Chan at the City Gallery in Central on February 5, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. “I hope the investigation will clearly determine the insufficiencies of each government department so that we won’t ever see this happen again,” she said in Cantonese. “Whether it’s the ICAC, the Home Affairs Department, the Fire Services Department, or the Labour Department – we made complaints in the past but they didn’t really acknowledge us,” she added. “I just hope they can be responsible.” See also: Tai Po fire timeline: Wang Fuk Court’s HK$330 million renovation, ignored warnings and aftermath Chan added that she, like many other residents, hoped to set foot in Wang Fuk Court one more time. “Of course there are safety concerns, but all [Wang Fuk Court] residents want is to say goodbye,” she said. “It’s not just about the money... the government could be humane in handling our concerns.” A Wang Fuk Court resident, surnamed Cheung, at the City Gallery in Central, on February 5, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Addressing the government’s plan to provide an option for a flat-for-flat exchange, Wang Fuk Court resident Cheung added that it would be unreasonable to compensate homeowners with a flat of equivalent price instead a flat of comparable size. “Our flat was 400 square feet, it’s unreasonable for you to give me back a 200-square-foot flat,” she said. Committee’s powers A seating plan and a list of attendees at the Thursday meeting were distributed to those present. The list included the names of lawyers for the independent committee, the government, the Urban Renewal Authority, and property management firm ISS Eastpoint Properties Ltd, as well as representatives of the Competition Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Department of Justice. Counsel for Wong Hap-yin, one of the directors of Will Power Architects Company Limited, the consultancy that oversaw the repair works at Wang Fuk Court, was also present. Wong is the only person who was arrested over the fire to have attended the Thursday meeting. The independent committee was ordered to be set up by Hong Kong leader John Lee days after the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire broke out last November. Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, pictured on November 28, 2025, in the aftermath of the fatal blaze. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Critics have questioned whether the committee’s powers would be sufficient, as its lack of statutory powers means it cannot summon witnesses to testify. Judge Lok said on Thursday that there may be a possibility for the review body to become a commission of inquiry, a type of commission with statutory powers, including the ability to call witnesses for testimony and require parties to provide documents. Commissions of inquiry have greater power, but it would take “years” to complete the investigation, Lok said, adding that the public has expectations for expedited proceedings. Though the committee’s hearings are not legal proceedings, they would enjoy greater flexibility and would still cover an extensive scope, he said. If the independent committee deems its powers insufficient, it can make recommendations to Lee to convert the committee into a commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance. The committee’s report, expected to be completed in nine months, will probe the cause of the deadly blaze and be used to assist in systemic reforms for the city’s building management and maintenance regime.