Independent Committee Report on Wang Fuk Court Fire
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On 30 October 2026, Ming Pao reported that the Independent Committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire published its report, finding that the most likely cause of the fire was a lit cigarette; the flames spread rapidly vertically upwards along the light well, and thick smoke hampered residents' evacuation, with most of the victims dying from smoke inhalation. The report also includes a dedicated section on the death in the line of duty of Fire Services Section Leader Ho Wai-ho, stating that he had originally been able to leave Wang Tai Court but believed he was trying to help residents evacuate, and ultimately had almost no chance of saving himself.
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- 明報·每日要聞Tai Po Fire Independent Committee Report Says a Single Cigarette Most Likely Started Blaze as Fire Services Crew Leader Ho Wai-ho Died Saving Others
The independent committee has ruled that the most likely cause of the Wang Fuk Court fire was a lit cigarette, with flames spreading rapidly vertically up the light well, thick smoke hampering residents' evacuation, and most victims dying from smoke inhalation. The report also devotes a separate section to the death of Fire Services crew leader Ho Wai-ho, saying he was originally able to leave Wang Tai Court but is believed to have tried to help residents evacuate, ultimately leaving him almost no chance of saving himself.
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