Hong Kong Orders Probe Into Deadly 151-Death Fire

Published: 02 December 2025 Tuesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has ordered the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, which claimed at least 151 lives.

The blaze, which erupted last Wednesday, engulfed seven of the eight tower blocks that were undergoing extensive renovations. Preliminary investigations indicate that protective netting around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.

At least 13 individuals, including directors of a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Officials warn that the death toll could rise further as recovery operations continue.

Chief Executive Lee stated that the committee, to be led by a judge, will conduct a “comprehensive reform” of safety measures, aiming to prevent similar disasters in the future. When asked why he should remain in office, Lee acknowledged the need for reform but did not answer directly. He said, “Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked.”

The fire spread swiftly both vertically and horizontally between the blocks and was only fully extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started. More than 2,000 firefighters were involved in controlling the blaze. Police began entering the damaged buildings the same day to collect evidence, with the investigation expected to take three to four weeks.

Authorities have noted that several residents did not hear any alarms when the fire broke out, as Hong Kong’s fire service found alarms in all eight blocks were not functioning effectively. The buildings department has temporarily suspended work on 30 private projects.

In a separate development, police detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition for participating in a group petition calling for an independent inquiry. The online petition, which amassed over 10,000 signatures within a day, was subsequently removed. Two other individuals, including a former district councillor, were also reportedly detained. Lee did not directly comment on these arrests but emphasized that “criminals that commit offences must be taken to justice” and warned against exploiting the tragedy.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized these detentions. Amnesty International stated, “Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire…rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions.”

Wang Fuk Court, constructed in 1983, housed 1,984 apartments for roughly 4,600 residents, nearly 40% of whom are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some residents have lived in the subsidized housing estate since its completion.

This tragedy is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in more than 70 years. Hong Kong’s second-deadliest fire occurred in 1948, killing 176 people due to a warehouse explosion, while the most lethal was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, which claimed over 600 lives.