CE John Lee Apologizes for Hong Fook Court Fire as Housing Chief Resigns

Eleven months after a devastating fire claimed 168 lives at the Hong Fook Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu led seven officials in a public bow of apology on October 29, 2026, while Housing Bureau Chief Winnie Ho Wing-yin stepped down from her post.

The Hong Fook Court Fire Report Release and Official Apologies

The government publicly released a four-month, two-volume, 1,000-page independent committee investigation report detailing the November 26, 2025, disaster. The fire killed 168 people, including one firefighter, and left 91 victims dead from smoke inhalation, with 114 victims aged 65 or older.

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According to the report, the fire was “extremely likely” ignited by a cigarette, while non-flame-retardant mesh on bamboo scaffolding, polystyrene foam boards on windows, and unauthorized openings cut into fire escape stairwells allowed the flames and toxic smoke to spread rapidly.

Housing Bureau Chief Resigns as ICU Faces Investigation

Housing Bureau Chief Winnie Ho submitted her resignation on October 28 and ceased duties on October 29, taking political responsibility for the tragedy, though Lee noted she bore no personal wrongdoing. BusinessFocus highlighted that Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will act as the interim housing chief. UDN reported that the independent report pinpointed the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit (ICU) as carrying the heaviest regulatory blame.

Hong Kong's Tai Po fire: Chief Exec John Lee apologises, announces housing secretary resignation

In addition to political accountability, Lee announced a two-tier “department service head accountability” investigation targeting the ICU, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department, and the Labour Department. Led by the Public Service Commission, the inquiry aims to complete its work within three months and review roughly 100 civil servants, with 40 to 50 under direct examination.

Government Creates Task Force to Fight Bid-Rigging

The independent committee’s findings, which comprise approximately 120 recommendations, pointed to systemic corruption and bid-rigging networks involving triad elements that exploited multi-million-dollar renovation projects. In response, the government announced comprehensive reforms to overhaul building maintenance oversight. Authorities will establish a cross-departmental task force combining police, ICAC, and the Competition Commission to investigate procurement fraud, alongside a new building maintenance support agency.

CE John Lee Apologizes for Hong Fook Court Fire as Housing Chief Resigns — Photo: UDN

Residents Criticize Timing of Apology and Official Resignations

Displaced residents and grieving family members expressed mixed reactions to the government’s announcements. A resident of Wang Shing Block told BBC Chinese that the apology came too late and that the government should have initiated civil service investigations much sooner. Others questioned why only one senior official relinquished her post when multiple regulatory bodies were cited for severe lapses.

As the legal system processes the criminal indictments and structural reforms move toward the Legislative Council by the end of the year, several questions remain unresolved.