An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has submitted its findings to the government, with a source saying the “incisive” report has singled out four government bodies for accountability.
It is understood that the 12-chapter report found that among the four government bodies named, the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit should bear the greatest responsibility for a lack of oversight of renovation work at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate, which contributed to the heavy death toll from the inferno.
But the insider said on Thursday that the report did not name any bureau secretaries in connection with the blaze that broke out at the Tai Po estate on November 26 last year, killing 168 people.
The judge-led panel submitted its final report to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu after holding 30 public sessions and hearing from 80 witnesses, including residents, firefighters, government officials and experts.
“With the evidence and materials received as the factual framework, the committee has completed its inquiry work on the matters set out in its terms of reference, and prepared the report accordingly,” the committee said.
The panel, ordered by Lee, ceased operating following the submission of the report, its website showed.
Lee thanked the committee members for their efforts, saying the panel had provided a comprehensive review of the causes of the fire and recommendations on large-scale building maintenance and renovation projects.
“The government will make comprehensive reforms in areas including the supervision of building maintenance works, building management and the regulation of fire service installations,” he said.
“We will carefully study the committee’s report, actively follow up on its recommendations and shortly announce plans for comprehensive reforms and pursuing accountability.”
The government said it would seek legal advice on how best to publish the report at the “earliest possible juncture” without prejudicing court proceedings. Charges have been laid against seven individuals and two companies for their alleged roles in the tragedy.
A redacted version of the report could be made public next week at the earliest.
The source told the South China Morning Post that the report contained 12 chapters detailing the committee’s findings on the causes of the fire.
He described the report as “incisive”, refuting speculation the tone was mild, but without providing additional details.
The report singled out four government bodies for accountability – the Fire Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Labour Department and the Independent Checking Unit – as well as some civil servants named during the hearings, the insider said.
The Labour Department was deemed to carry a smaller share of responsibility for failing to act promptly on residents’ complaints about workers smoking at the site.
The source added that the report also included recommendations on construction material standards and measures to combat bid-rigging.
The blaze engulfed seven of the estate’s eight blocks and became Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948.
The committee’s lead counsel, Victor Dawes, identified six “human failures” that led to the tragedy. These included the use of non-fire-retardant scaffolding mesh, the widespread installation of combustible polyfoam boards over windows, the deactivation of the fire alarm system and the suspension of the fire hosepipe reel system.
The other failures involved temporary openings in emergency staircases, where fire-rated windows had been replaced with movable boards, and workers’ smoking habits.
At the final hearing, the committee’s legal team presented a 627-page closing statement, blaming the “litany of failures” for the disaster.
The statement said the government bore “unshirkable responsibility” for the tragedy and singled out the four government bodies.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said it was premature to pre-empt the government’s response as the report had not yet been made public.
However, he called on the administration to gauge public sentiment before taking any follow-up actions, adding that he expected Beijing and the government would act to strengthen support for the revamped political system under the “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle.
“I believe the central government and the chief executive will consider the matter from the perspectives of the government’s credibility, governance effectiveness, political stability and the unity of the governing team,” Lau said.
“It has to assure the public that the government is accountable and handles the matter in a fair and impartial manner.”
Veteran political commentator Sonny Lo Shiu-hing said the public expected not only civil servants but also ministers to be held accountable. But he noted that with a government transition next July, the administration might decide against a cabinet reshuffle so close to the end of its term.
Lo also suggested that the government publish a report outlining its reform measures to deepen public understanding of its follow-up actions.
The committee counsel’s closing remarks criticised the Fire Services Department for failing to detect that the fire alarm system had been deactivated at the estate and for avoiding its statutory duties.
Following the blaze, the department stepped up inspections of fire services installations and put forward legislative proposals to strengthen regulation of such equipment.
During a check of 1,500 old buildings across Hong Kong, the department found 64 of them had not carried out annual inspections, with malfunctioning fire alarm systems found in 13.
The department extended the checks in April, aiming to inspect 5,000 blocks in two years.
Among its legislative recommendations, the department has proposed amending the Fire Services Ordinance so contractors and technicians would be legally required to obtain prior approval before shutting down fire safety equipment.
Lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai, chairman of the Legislative Council’s security panel, declined to comment on the accountability of the department, arguing that the full picture would only be available after the report was released.
He expressed confidence in the department for “discharging its duty with integrity”.
“The Wang Fuk Court fire was an occasion to remind us that some regulations will have to be updated,” he said. “Many lawmakers agreed that doing so would enhance public safety. I believe when these amendments are submitted for vetting, they will be passed.” -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
