Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire probe rules out statutory powers, says evidence sufficient

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.A judge-led panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has resumed its public inquiry after a six-week break to hear expert evidence on the cause of the blaze that killed 168 people last year.The independent committee probing the Wang Fuk Court inferno began its fifth round of hearings on Monday, with panel chairman Justice David Lok Kai-hong ruling out applying for statutory powers.He said the committee would not be upgraded to a Commission of Inquiry, stressing that a statutory inquiry would take roughly twice as long and that the probe’s final report would be postponed to at least the second quarter of 2027.The three government experts scheduled to give evidence include Lam Kin-kwan, deputy head of the authorities’ interdepartmental investigation task force, and Dr Lee Wing-man, chief chemist at the Government Laboratory’s forensic science division.Also due to testify is Richard Yuen Kwok-kit, chair professor of architectural engineering at the City University, who was appointed by the government as a fire engineering expert to investigate the cause of the fire.Monday’s session marks the first of three in this fifth round, during which the panel will hear testimony from experts appointed by both the committee and the government.The fire broke out on November 26, 2025, while Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, was undergoing major renovation works. It was the city’s deadliest fire since 1948, killing 168 people and displacing nearly 5,000 residents.Lok has previously said more time was needed to reach conclusions after a cross-departmental government task force submitted its final investigation report in mid-May.The Hong Kong Police Force, the Competition Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) also submitted witness statements and reports to the committee around the same time.In a submission to the committee, police proposed introducing legislation, to be enforced by a designated agency, to criminalise bid-rigging, along with more attractive leniency and cooperation arrangements for whistle-blowers.The Competition Commission also backed criminalising bid-rigging to strengthen deterrence, while the ICAC reported receiving 100 complaints related to building renovations last year, up 60 per cent from 63 in 2024.Follow our live coverage as the hearing continues. coverage: