World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Hong Kong leader apologises for fire that killed 168 as housing chief resigns
Hong Kong leader John Lee apologised for a fire that killed 168 people at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district in November 2025.
The fire tore through seven apartment buildings undergoing renovation, displaced thousands of residents and was the city’s deadliest in decades.
An independent committee found that contractors used unsafe materials and procedures, while government bodies failed to properly supervise the work.
It said the blaze was likely started by a lit cigarette, and that hazards including non-fire-retardant scaffolding nets and flammable foam boards helped the fire spread.
Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned, taking political responsibility; the investigation found no personal wrongdoing by her.
Lee said four government agencies would be investigated over their oversight, with a three-month inquiry planned.
The government has also promised reforms, including action against bid-rigging, as residents await decisions on accountability and changes to building regulation.
Hong Kong leader John Lee apologised for the fire at Wang Fuk Court, which killed 168 people in November 2025.
Lee announced that Housing Secretary Winnie Ho had resigned, and pledged reforms to government oversight and the building industry.
An independent committee found failures by government bodies as well as misconduct by private companies involved in renovation work.
The report said unsafe materials and procedures contributed to the fire’s spread, while failures including a disabled fire alarm worsened the death toll.
The fire displaced thousands of residents and prompted calls for accountability in Hong Kong.
- Who
- Hong Kong leader John Lee apologised; Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned.
- What
- The government responded to an investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire, which killed 168 people.
- When
- The fire broke out in November 2025. Lee apologised on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Wang Fuk Court, in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong.
- Why
- The independent committee found inadequate regulatory oversight and misconduct in renovation work contributed to the disaster.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court and killed 168 people.
Winnie Ho resigned, according to The Hindu and AP.
John Lee apologised and announced reforms after the investigation’s findings were released.
- Deaths
- 168 people
- Complex
- Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, Hong Kong
- Fire date
- November 2025
- Housing secretary
- Winnie Ho
- Displaced residents
- Thousands
- Report finding
- Government oversight failures and private-sector misconduct contributed to the disaster
7 sources
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What people are saying
I apologise to the victims as well as the city's residents
should bear political responsibility
There is no doubt that they are the main culprits responsible for the occurrence of the inferno and the high fatalities in the tragic incident
However ... deception succeeded because the regulators’ own practices enabled it