Hong Kong residential fire kills 168, investigators point to discarded cigarette

A blaze that erupted on 26 November 2025 at the Wang Cheong residential complex in Hong Kong claimed 168 lives, making it the deadliest fire in the city in nearly eight decades. An independent committee led by forensic scientist Lee Wing‑man concluded the fire most likely started when an unextinguished cigarette was tossed onto the building’s exterior, igniting packaging materials, plastic bags and polyurethane foam used in ongoing façade rehabilitation work.

The investigation also identified multiple safety failures: flammable scaffolding tarps, deactivated fire alarms and pumps, and possible lapses by the contractor responsible for roof‑top water‑tank repairs. In January, Hong Kong police arrested 22 people, charging 16 with homicide. The findings have reignited debate over fire‑safety standards for large residential rehabilitation projects.