The independent committee probing the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po announced today that it will hold a first round of eight evidential hearings from March 19 to April 2.

The committee aims to clarify factual information through oral, written and other forms of evidence presented by witnesses. This will provide the basis for preparation of the committee’s report and recommendations.

Opening remarks from legal teams involved are expected to take a few days. The committee will then hear oral evidence from witnesses, including Wang Fuk Court residents.

A list of the exact witnesses who will be giving evidence at each hearing will be released  online in due course.

The public can pre-register for hearings that they wish to observe via the online system from 10am on March 5 to 10am on March 8.

The hearings will be conducted in Cantonese from 10am to 1pm and from 2.15pm to 4.30pm on March 19, 20, 24, 26, 30 and 31, and on April 1 and 2, at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. Simultaneous interpretation in Putonghua and English will be provided.

Some seats will be reserved for parties involved in the hearings, while a total of about 360 seats will be available for public observation in the main venue and two transmission areas. About half of the seats will be set aside for residents of Wang Fuk Court on a priority basis.

Successful registrants for the first round of hearings will receive a “Confirmation of Successful Registration”, by SMS and/or email, from the committee’s secretariat by March 17.