Wang Fuk Court blaze probe begins with direction conference, March 19 hearing set

An independent committee investigating the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire held its first open meeting on Thursday morning, with the chair announcing that a public hearing will take place on March 19.

The direction conference, described as the first open meeting of the independent committee examining the cause of one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires in decades, was held at the City Gallery in Edinburgh Place, Central. The meeting was open to the public, and at least 35 people were present to observe.

Before proceedings began at 10am, committee chairman Justice David Lok Ka-hong invited all those present to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims.

Lok said the committee plans to commence hearings at the same venue on March 19 at 10am.

He outlined that the committee’s main terms of reference include examining the cause of the fire, how it spread, and how it led to loss of life and property damage. The committee will also review whether construction requirements and standards for building works were adequate, whether daily maintenance mechanisms were sufficient, and whether existing safety standards and material lists are comprehensive.

The effectiveness of certification and testing systems will be scrutinized, along with the roles and responsibilities of regulators, including government departments, authorized professionals, and contractors, he said.

Lok added that the committee will also examine whether there were improper connected interests, conflicts of roles, collusion, or other systemic problems in different stages of the works, as well as whether corruption, bid rigging, or irregular tendering may have been involved.

He said hearings will be held from Monday to Friday, between 10am and 1pm, and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm. Members of the public who wish to attend must submit a written application by February 12.

Lok said the committee has begun receiving documents from government departments and is analyzing them. He added that committee members will visit bamboo scaffolding and metal scaffolding sites on the 15th of this month.

Acknowledging strong public expectations, Lok said the committee does not rule out any possibility at this stage, including recommending to the Chief Executive the establishment of a statutory commission of inquiry.

“The hearings should be as open to the public as possible, but they must also be fair to the parties under investigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, senior counsel Victor Dawes, representing the committee, said large volumes of documents and key information have been provided by various government departments and relevant bodies over the past month.

He said such evidence should be disclosed and explained to the public at future hearings and urged all relevant departments and individuals to provide information to the committee without reservation.

He revealed that based on preliminary analysis, the committee has identified a series of structural issues, describing them as “unacceptable and cannot be ignored.”

Lok said the committee will not deal with individual legal liabilities or disciplinary action against government officials. He described completing the work within nine months as challenging but said the team will make every effort to do so.

He added that hearings will be open to the public. If any party believes certain evidence should not be disclosed publicly, an application may be made for a closed session, and the committee may redact parts of document bundles.

Applicants who wish to participate in the hearings must apply by February 12. Those approved will be required to submit their witness statements to the committee secretariat by February 23 via email.

Lok said hearings may continue for an extended period, and the committee may adjourn sessions when necessary. Proceedings will be conducted in Cantonese, with simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English. Live transcription services will be arranged, subject to written application to the secretariat by February 27.

The direction conference concluded at 11.28am. Senior counsel Jenkin Suen, representing the government, said he will appear on behalf of departments including the Housing Bureau, the Police, the Fire Services Department, and the Home Affairs Department.