Public hearing reveals failures behind deadly fire that killed 168
發佈日期: 2026-03-20 00:05
TVB News
Public hearings into the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire started today. Evidence suggests that smoking may be a possible cause of the fire.
There is also evidence of human error causing nearly all fire safety measures to fail.
The first public hearing took place at the City Gallery in Central.
The Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court listed 38 involved parties.
They include residents, property management, construction company and government departments.
Legal representatives for some parties were in attendance.
The Committee first heard the opening remarks from senior counsel Victor Dawes.
The fire broke out on November 26 at about 2:30 p.m.
Wang Cheong House was the first of eight buildings to catch fire.
The blaze rapidly spread to six other blocks, killing at least 168 people.
Dawes noted that the buildings were covered with substandard scaffolding mesh, and multiple fire safety measures that ought to have protected life all failed.
He presented photos, CCTV footages, oral evidence and written submissions by residents that show fire alarms were switched off, and smoke doors being left open.
Surveillance footage also show the fire started at the bottom of the light well outside flats 104 and 105 at Wang Cheong House.
While there is no direct evidence of the initial ignition, the evidence indicates smoking as a possible cause.
Many cigarette butts and cardboard were found in the lightwell.
Out of over 1,000 survivors, only 40 said they heard the fire alarm during the fire.
Nearly half of them did not notice the fire until they were told by their neighbours or family members.
Dawes played a few phone recordings of residents calling 999.
A caller, who lived on the 27th floor of Wang Cheong House repeated on the phone that the smoke was very thick, asking someone to help her evacuate.
Dawes revealed that the resident unfortunately died in the inferno.
Another elderly resident waited over one minute until the responder answered and connected her to the FSD's line.
The responder also told firefighters the wrong address of the caller.
Dawes said the committee could review how to better handle emergency calls.
The afternoon session also covered the deceased firefighter Ho Wai-ho.
Ho was among the first batch of firemen sent to the scene. He was first assigned to Wang Cheong House but CCTV captured him entering Wang Tai house, potentially due to the chaotic situation.
He was seen entering an elevator to the 25th floor.
Seven minutes later, he transmitted a "May Day" call, saying that he was trapped on the 30th floor.
He, however, could not tell which block he was in.
After half an hour, he was found lying at the ground level and was certified dead in hospital.
It is believed that he broke a window to escape the flames.
The next hearing will be held on Friday.
The Committee has received more than one million files, including numerous photos and videos from government departments, law enforcement agencies, contractors, and also members of the public.
The data collected exceeds one terabyte.
This will provide an important basis for the preparation of its report and recommendations.
