Key facts
- 168 lives were lost in the Tai Po fire.
- Renovation contractors used non-fire-retardant nets and flammable foam boards.
- The government's regulatory oversight was found to have major shortfalls.
A lawyer for an independent inquiry committee has stated that the government bears an "unshirkable responsibility" for the deadly Tai Po fire that occurred on November 26, 2025. The blaze, which claimed 168 lives and devastated the Wang Fuk Court estate, was exacerbated by fraudulent practices from renovation contractors, including the use of non-fire-retardant materials and false certifications. Senior counsel Victor Dawes, representing the committee, delivered his closing remarks on July 15, 2026, highlighting significant shortcomings in the government's regulatory oversight, which failed to detect deliberate deception by companies like Prestige Construction & Engineering and Will Power Architects. The investigation revealed that flammable foam boards were installed over windows and non-retardant nets were used, despite assurances to the contrary.