Hong Kong authorities played a secondary role in the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last year, according to government counsel Jenkin Suen SC. During an independent committee inquiry on Thursday, July 16th, 2026, Suen attributed the fire mainly to the “deceit, inaction and deliberate omission” of construction and fire service firms that exploited regulatory frameworks based on trust in the private sector.

Suen acknowledged that the tragedy revealed systemic vulnerabilities such as overreliance on professional self-regulation, insufficient oversight, guideline gaps, interdepartmental miscommunication, and limited use of technology to detect malpractice. However, he warned against framing these weaknesses as the primary causes of the fire, noting that the legislative framework was designed in response to societal demands to streamline regulations, reduce compliance costs, and avoid excessive requirements for low-risk construction work.

“The government can understand why authorities’ failures are often subject to strict public scrutiny, but one must not lose sight of other stakeholders,” Suen said.

The inquiry continues to examine the factors behind the Tai Po fire and the responsibilities of involved parties.

Sources

South China Morning Post World