Hong Kong apartment fires: hearings to begin into Wang Fuk blaze that killed 168 people

Public hearings begin Thursday in Hong Kong into a fire at a housing complex that killed 168 people, the worst residential fire in decades. A judge-led independent committee will investigate whether inadequate fire safety standards, faulty construction practices, or failures by government officials or contractors contributed to the blaze. The inquiry will examine whether building codes and safety protocols were sufficient to prevent the disaster and hold responsible parties accountable. The hearings represent a critical examination of Hong Kong's fire safety infrastructure and regulatory oversight in residential construction. The investigation's findings could prompt sweeping changes to building standards and safety enforcement across the territory's housing sector.