Tai Po fire: Judge to outline investigation protocol during public session on Feb 5

2026-01-25 - 21:07

A Hong Kong judge leading the independent review committee investigating last November’s deadly Tai Po fire will set the direction for future hearings at a public session in early February, the government has said. A building of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po after the deadly fire. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. High Court Judge David Lok will give directions on a range of matters, including “identifying individuals or organisations... who intend to attend the hearings,” the language to be used, the methods for submitting witness statements and documents, as well as other hearing-related matters, authorities said on Tuesday. Lok will outline his vision at a “direction conference,” which will be open to the public, scheduled for February 5, the government said in a statement. The conference will be conducted in Cantonese at the City Gallery in Central, while simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided. “There will not be any presentation of evidence or examination of witnesses at the direction conference,” the government said. There will be around 400 seats available for the public and 50 seats for the media, the government said, adding that some additional members of the public will be able to observe the conference via a broadcast. The public seats will be reserved for those who complete an online pre-registration form on a first-come, first-served basis. Justice David Lok (centre, first row), the chairperson of the independent review committee to investigate the Wang Fuk Court fire, attends a meeting on December 23, 2025, with committee members Chan Kin-por (first row, first from left) and Rex Auyeung (first row, first from right). Photo: GovHK. The government also said the independent review committee will invite the public to provide information on the causes that led to the fire and its rapid spread at Wang Fuk Court in November last year. Details about the submission of information will be announced separately, the government said. The blaze, which broke out last November 26, killed 168 people and displaced thousands, in what has become the worst fire in Hong Kong since 1948. See also: ‘Place of heartbreak’: One month since fatal fire, Wang Fuk Court residents reel from trauma, pondering their future At the time of the fire, the Tai Po housing estate was undergoing a major renovation project. Authorities said substandard construction netting and flammable foam boards were believed to have accelerated the spread of the fire. Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, pictured on November 29, 2025, in the aftermath of the fatal blaze. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Executives from the contractor and the consulting firm for the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court were among over a dozen people arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption. To investigate the causes of the fire and to uncover systemic issues that plagued Hong Kong’s building renovation regime, Chief Executive John Lee ordered the establishment of the independent review committee. A report is due within nine months. See also: Explainer: How deadly Tai Po fire brings to light bid-rigging epidemic in Hong Kong renovation industry The committee, chaired by Lok, also consists of ex-lawmaker Chan Kin-por and former MTR Corporation chairperson Rex Auyeung.