Hong Kong fire inquiry probes cause of deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

A judge‑led panel is hearing expert testimony on the November 26, 2025 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which burned for more than 43 hours, killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents – the worst blaze in the city since 1948.

Architectural engineering professor Richard Yuen Kwok‑kit will testify about the fire’s rapid spread, followed by senior fire‑services officials. The panel noted that the fire started in a light well where a discarded lit cigarette was the most likely ignition source, and that non‑fire‑retardant scaffolding mesh, polyfoam boards, plastic sheets and temporary window replacements used during a major renovation allowed flames and toxic smoke to penetrate stairwells.

The inquiry, chaired by Justice David Lok Kai‑hong, will not be upgraded to a statutory commission to avoid delays, but aims to produce a final report to support legal proceedings and future fire‑safety reforms.