CNA reported Thursday that Hong Kong Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned as Chief Executive John Lee announced an accountability review and building oversight changes after a fire that killed 168 people.
Lee apologized to residents and the wider public, CNA reported. “I am deeply saddened,” he said. Lee said the Independent Checking Unit’s role in the incident involved no personal fault or misconduct, but that Ho should bear political responsibility.
The fire broke out Nov. 26, 2025, during renovation work at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. CNA reported that it spread through seven 31-story towers, killed 168 people and displaced thousands. The outlet described it as Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948.
CNA reported that the inquiry identified the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit as the government body with the greatest responsibility. Lee also said the Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and Labour Department bore some responsibility.
The government plans to abolish the checking unit and establish a Public Housing Control Unit for public rental and subsidized-sale housing projects, CNA reported. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said the new unit would handle projects separately to improve coordination. CNA also reported that Secretary for Security Chris Tang announced a Fire Services Department region focused on preparing for major fire risks.
A Hong Kong government statement said the committee submitted its report to Lee on Oct. 22, following 30 days of evidential hearings. It heard 80 factual and expert witnesses and obtained more than 1 million files totaling over 2 terabytes of data.
CNA reported that an independent team would determine which officials should face accountability measures and what discipline to impose. Lee had pledged accountability and broad reforms after receiving the committee’s report, a commitment covered in earlier EconoTimes coverage of his reform pledge.
