HK housing secretary resigns over Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 168, officials bow in public apology

Hong Kong's Secretary for Housing, Winnie Ho, has resigned to take political responsibility for a fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po that killed 168 people in November 2025.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced Ho's resignation on Oct. 29, during a press conference on the findings of an independent investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire, according to HK01.

Lee and several other senior government officials also bowed in apology during the press conference.

The fire, which broke out on Nov. 26, 2025, killed 168 people, including a firefighter, and affected 1,984 families, according to Sing Tao Daily.

Lee expressed his sorrow over the deaths and apologised to the victims and Hong Kong residents on behalf of the government.

"As the Chief Executive and head of the government, I feel deeply saddened," Lee said, according to TVB News.

"On behalf of the Hong Kong government, I apologise to those affected by the disaster and the wider public.”

Housing secretary resigns to take political responsibility

Ho submitted her resignation to Lee during a meeting on Oct. 28, a day before the investigation report was made public.

Lee accepted her resignation, which took effect on Oct. 29.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong was appointed acting Secretary for Housing.

Lee explained that although Ho was not personally at fault for the fire, she should take political responsibility as the incident fell under the jurisdiction of the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) within the Housing Department.

In a statement, Ho expressed hope that those who died could rest in peace and that their families would eventually recover from their grief, according to TVB News.

Investigation finds lapses in four government departments

The independent committee's report identified lapses in the supervision of renovation works and fire safety measures at Wang Fuk Court.

According to TVB News, contributing factors included workers smoking, combustible materials surrounding the buildings, non-fire-resistant scaffolding netting and tarpaulins, and fire alarms that were not functioning.

The report also identified regulatory lapses involving four government departments or units: the Housing Department's Independent Checking Unit (ICU), Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and Labour Department.

The ICU bore the greatest responsibility for the oversight failures, including failing to follow up on concerns over the fire resistance of scaffolding netting, according to ST Headline.

Further investigations into government failures

The Hong Kong government has launched an investigation into possible administrative failures involving four government departments or units, with findings expected within three months.

Asked why Ho was the only minister to resign, Lee said he had considered the officials' respective responsibilities before making the decision, according to ST Headline.

Hong Kong government proposes building maintenance reforms

The Hong Kong government also announced plans to tighten oversight of building renovation works, including proposed legislation to criminalise bid-rigging in maintenance contracts.

According to Sing Tao Daily, the government plans to establish an interdepartmental task force to tackle bid-rigging in building maintenance projects, as well as a new Building Maintenance Support and Services Bureau to provide residents with reliable information and professional advice on building maintenance.

The Independent Checking Unit (ICU) will also be replaced by a new Public Housing Buildings Control Unit in November 2026.