Heat zones

Lit cigarette, combustibles and ‘human fault’ led to deadly Hong Kong fire: report

South China Morning Post29 October 2026, 11:11 UTCHong Kong

A combination of a lit cigarette and an “abundant fuel” of combustible materials caused Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, according to a long-awaited report which found the blaze would not have killed so many people, or happened at all, without “human fault”. Eleven months after the deadly fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, killing 168 and displacing thousands, an independent committee’s report released on Thursday assigned blame to the main contractor for renovations at the housing estate,...

Read the full story at South China Morning Post Open in the live monitor

Related discussion groups

No group discusses this yet. Start a discussion group and attach this story.

More news about Hong Kong

Hong Kong police probe HK$40 million jewellery theft from Southern district flatSouth China Morning Post29 October 2026, 12:09 UTCHong KongHong Kong police launched an investigation into the disappearance of jewellery worth nearly HK$40 million (US$5.1 million) from a woman’s home in the upscale Southern district neighbourhood of Chun...
Hong Kong scraps lighting attraction at The Peak after public outcrySouth China Morning Post29 October 2026, 11:56 UTCHong KongHong Kong authorities have scrapped a controversial plan to install decorative lights along a scenic trail on The Peak to increase the city’s nighttime tourism appeal following a public outcry, pro...
Hong Kong leader apologizes for deadly Tai Po fire, pledges reformJapan Times29 October 2026, 11:19 UTCHong KongLee promised swift but extensive reforms to the city's building industry and regulatory system.
Hong Kong leader apologizes over deadly Tai Po blazeBloomberg Markets29 October 2026, 11:14 UTCHong KongGovernment leadersHong Kong’s leader John Lee issued a rare apology and said his housing secretary has stepped down over the city’s deadliest fire in decades. (Source: Bloomberg)
Later hours unlikely to boost bottle sales at Hong Kong wine festival: exhibitorsSouth China Morning Post29 October 2026, 11:05 UTCHong KongGovernment leadersLater opening times are unlikely to boost wine sales by the bottle, exhibitors returning to Hong Kong’s annual Wine and Dine Festival have said, with new overseas participants believing that the ci...
Hong Kong Leader Apologizes for Deadly Apartment Building FireNew York Times29 October 2026, 10:58 UTCHong KongGovernment leadersJohn Lee, the city’s chief executive, said the city’s housing secretary would step down, but he vehemently defended the government.
Hong Kong leader apologises and housing minister resigns after fire investigation exposes failuresFrance 2429 October 2026, 10:29 UTCHong KongGovernment leadersHong Kong Chief Executive John Lee apologised on Thursday for a fire that ravaged a residential tower block in Tai Po in November 2025, killing 168, injuring 79 and displacing thousands of others....
Hong Kong's leader apologises for deadly high-rise fireBBC Asia29 October 2026, 09:46 UTCHong KongHeat zonesThe massive blaze at Wang Fuk Court in November 2025 was the deadliest the city had seen in decades.

More on Heat zones

Gigantische aswolk stijgt op bij uitbarsting Japanse vulkaanDe Telegraaf29 October 2026, 11:49 UTCFloods, fires and volcanoesDe Japanse vulkaan Sakurajima is dinsdag uitgebarsten op het schiereiland Ōsumi en heeft een enorme aswolk de lucht in geblazen. Door rondvliegende rotsen en stromen van hete as en vulkanisch mater...
Fire at New Brunswick military base not threat to public: defence officialsGlobal News29 October 2026, 11:41 UTCCanadaMilitary basesThe Department of National Defence says the blaze in the northeastern part of the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown training area is being monitored.
“Puede ser peor que la pandemia del COVID-19”: Experto en salud habla sobre el dengue, leptospirosis, calor extremo y riesgos que alertan a Perú ante el fenómeno El NiñoInfobae Americas29 October 2026, 11:30 UTCDisease outbreaksLa cifra acumulada hasta octubre supera en 137% los contagios informados en igual período de 2025, mientras aumentan los riesgos de leptospirosis y deshidratación
Japan to aid wildfire recovery efforts in MongoliaJapan Times29 October 2026, 11:26 UTCMongoliaHeat zonesTakaichi said Japan will offer an aid package featuring plans to provide equipment and help develop human resources for environmental restoration.
Singapore Seeks to Cool Tensions With Prabowo Over Wildfire HazeBloomberg Politics29 October 2026, 10:59 UTCSingaporeHeat zonesThe latest tensions were sparked by blazes across Borneo, Sumatra and other Indonesian islands.
Russia attacks poultry farm in Kyiv Oblast, killing a thousand birdsUkrainska Pravda29 October 2026, 10:33 UTCRussiaAttacksA Russian strike caused a fire at a Kyiv Oblast agricultural facility, killing a thousand birds before firefighters brought the blaze under control.