Chief Executive John Lee today received the report of the independent committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Mr Lee thanked the committee’s chairman, David Lok, and members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung, for their efforts.

He explained that through evidential hearings and other means, the committee gathered and considered a large amount of evidence and materials from witnesses, experts and organisations. Its report, he said, provides a comprehensive review of the fire along with recommendations, including several relating to large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.

The Chief Executive said the Government will carry out comprehensive reforms in areas including the supervision of building maintenance works, building management, and the regulation of fire service installations. His 2026 Policy Address, published in September, introduced various priority reform initiatives, and the Government has already taken steps to prepare for comprehensive reforms.

“We will carefully study the committee's report, actively follow up on its recommendations, and shortly announce the plans for the comprehensive reforms and pursuing accountability,” Mr Lee said.

The Government will publish the committee's report. It emphasised that in doing so it will exercise caution in handling parts of the report that relate to ongoing criminal trials, so as not to prejudice court proceedings against individuals implicated. The Government will seek legal advice on the appropriate way to publish the report at the earliest possible juncture.

The Chief Executive announced the establishment of the committee on December 12 last year. Its remit was to review the causes of the fire and related issues, make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring again, and submit a report on the matter.

The committee formally commenced its work on December 19. It held 30 days of evidential hearings to gather oral evidence from 80 factual and expert witnesses, and submissions from the legal representatives of involved parties.

The committee also ascertained facts through written statements submitted by different individuals and organisations, and evidence submitted in other forms. It eventually obtained more than 1 million files, exceeding 2 terabytes of data.