About the Committee

The Chief Executive announced on December 12, 2025 the set-up of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The Terms of Reference of the Independent Committee are:

Regarding the fire broken out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, its rapid spread and the resulting casualties and property damage, to examine –
the causes and circumstances that led to the fire; the fire service installations and equipment in the buildings, and the supervision and responsibility for their effective operation; whether the construction safety requirements, standards, supervision and day-to-day maintenance regime for the building maintenance and renovation works were adequate; regarding the building maintenance and renovation works, whether the prevailing list of materials meeting safety standards is comprehensive, and whether the related verification and testing systems are effective; the roles and responsibilities of personnel with supervisory roles across all stages (including government officers, authorised professionals, contractors and others); and the liabilities arising from the aforementioned issues.
Regarding large-scale building maintenance and renovation works, to examine –
whether there were systemic problems such as undue connected interests, conflicts of roles, or improper collusion across all stages of the works; and whether bid-rigging corruption, or irregularities were involved in the tendering process of these works.
Regarding the two matters above, to examine whether regulation and penalties under relevant existing laws are adequate.
To make recommendations regarding matters in items (1) to (3) above.

Note:

If in the course of its review work, the Independent Committee is of the view that, in order to conduct inquiry into specific issues or aspects, it is necessary to be provided with the same statutory powers as those of a commission of inquiry established under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance (Cap. 86), the Independent Committee may make recommendation to the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive-in-Council may, upon consideration, decide to enable the Independent Committee to become a statutory commission of inquiry for matters relevant to those issues or aspects pursuant to the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance, to exercise those powers.
Issues concerning legal liabilities of those involved in the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26, 2025 are matters for law enforcement agencies’ investigation. Such matters fall outside the scope of the Committee.