Hong Kong leader apologises over residential fire that killed 168: report cites 'decades of failure', blames four departments in part

Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive John Lee, has apologised for government shortcomings that contributed to a residential fire that killed 168 people last year. On Thursday, at the release of a report pointing to 'decades of failure' by government bodies, he and seven other officials bowed in apology.

The report said four departments 'should bear part of the responsibility' for the high casualties. So far one official, Housing Secretary Winnie Ho, has resigned.

Last November, a small fire, probably started by a cigarette, grew into an inferno that enveloped seven of the eight towers of Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and netting for renovations.

The fire was the world's deadliest in a residential building since 1980. Former residents and victims' families had been waiting to learn who was to blame for the ignored warnings, substandard building materials and disabled fire alarms.

Authorities have filed charges, including manslaughter, against seven individuals and two companies over their roles in the fire. At least 35 people have been arrested.

The independent report released on Thursday found that the 'main culprits' of the fire were private contractors, but it also accused officials of 'lax enforcement'.

Had the four departments better recognised the risks and acted accordingly, the report said, 'there was a real possibility that the misconduct of the private-sector parties and the fire hazards in Wang Fuk Court could have been rectified or removed before the fire'.

Lee said a three-month investigation would now begin into the government's role. 'I am deeply saddened. I would like to apologise to the affected residents and the general public,' he said on Thursday, adding that Housing Minister Ho should 'bear political responsibility'.

But Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife and home in the fire, told reporters he did not consider the government's acceptance of accountability adequate. According to the AFP news agency, he said all the secretaries of the departments named should step down, and that administrative responsibility fell short, and political accountability even more so.

Phyllis Lo, whose mother died in the fire, told the AP news agency that progress had been made but that justice had yet to be served. She added that the officials' apology was late, though better than nothing.

On Thursday Lee promised that 'similar incidents will never be allowed to happen again'. He told reporters that authorities had proposed 'systematic reforms', including criminalising bid-rigging and overhauling the complaints system.

The report stated: 'The fire has been put out, but the reform has only just begun.'