Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has announced the formation of an independent, judge-led committee to investigate the city’s deadliest fire in decades — a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 people, injured nearly 80 more, and destroyed much of the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po.

The inferno, which erupted across seven high-rise towers last Wednesday, left families shattered and a nation demanding answers. As pressure intensifies, Lee has pledged accountability, transparency and a full examination of what allowed the fire to spread so quickly through the densely populated complex of more than 4,600 residents.

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A Judge-Led Independent Committee to “Uncover the Truth”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lee emphasized that the government must confront what went wrong — regardless of political or business interests.

“In order to avoid similar tragedies again, I will set up a judge-led independent committee to examine the cause and rapid spread of the fire,” Lee said. “We must ensure justice is served, let the deceased rest in peace, and provide comfort to the living.”

When questioned about whether he should remain in office after such a devastating failure, Lee said his administration must be responsible for fixing systemic issues.

“We have identified failures in different stages,” he admitted. “We will ensure these loopholes are plugged. The bottlenecks will be addressed. We will reform the entire building renovation system.”

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Suspected Cause: Faulty Scaffolding Materials and High Winds

Authorities believe the blaze began around the scaffolding set up for building maintenance. High winds, combined with substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam wrapped around bamboo scaffolding, may have accelerated the fire far faster than emergency crews could respond.

Officials also revealed that fire alarms throughout the complex were not functioning properly during the emergency.

According to Lee, materials used during the renovation were deliberately mixed — with substandard netting hidden among authorized mesh — in an apparent effort to deceive inspectors.

The city’s Labour Department confirmed that residents had already raised concerns about flammable materials last year, but were told that the complex posed “relatively low fire risks.”

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Rescue Operations Reveal Horrific Scenes as Death Toll Rises

Investigation teams have examined five of the seven burned-out towers. Inside, they discovered victims in stairwells and on rooftops — residents who tried desperately to escape but were trapped by thick smoke and rapidly advancing flames.

Roughly 30 people remain missing, though hopes of survival have diminished.

Police have arrested at least 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter, while Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency detained 12 others in related investigations. Officials believe contractors intentionally used unapproved materials in hard-to-reach areas, making them difficult to detect during inspections.

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Public Anger Mounts as Residents and Activists Demand Accountability

The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and outrage across Hong Kong. As residents mourn, many are demanding reforms in construction oversight, building safety enforcement and renovation monitoring.

However, several individuals calling for accountability have been detained by police.

Local media reported that 24-year-old student Miles Kwan was arrested for “seditious intent” after handing out flyers urging stricter oversight of construction safety. He was released on Monday. A former district councillor and another resident were also taken into custody.

Human rights groups have condemned the arrests.

“Now is the time for Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire,” Amnesty International said. “Not silence those who ask legitimate questions.”

Human Rights Watch echoed the same message, urging authorities not to “treat those demanding answers as criminals.”

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Government Warns Against Politicizing the Disaster

Hong Kong’s national security office issued a strong warning to activists, saying it would not allow the fire to be used to “plunge Hong Kong back into the chaos” of the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

“We sternly warn the anti-China disruptors who attempt to ‘disrupt Hong Kong through disaster,’” the statement read. “You will be held accountable and strictly punished.”

For many residents, the tragedy has reopened questions about safety standards, government transparency and the long-term consequences of cutting corners in public and private renovation projects.

As the independent investigation begins, families of the victims and survivors hope it will bring clarity — and prevent anything like the Wang Fuk Court disaster from ever happening again.