HK housing secretary resigns over Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 168, officials bow in public apology

On November 26, 2025, a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, claimed the lives of 168 individuals, including a firefighter. In response to this tragedy, Hong Kong's Secretary for Housing, Winnie Ho, resigned to assume political responsibility for the disaster. Chief Executive John Lee announced Ho's resignation during a press conference on October 29, alongside several other senior government officials who also bowed in public apology.

The fire, which broke out at the estate housing 1,984 families, affected over 1,984 families and was found to have been caused by a combination of factors, including workers smoking, combustible materials surrounding the buildings, non-fire-resistant scaffolding and tarpaulins, and non-functioning fire alarms. An independent investigation identified lapses in four government departments, with the Housing Department's Independent Checking Unit (ICU) bearing the most responsibility for oversight failures.

In addition to Ho's resignation, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong was appointed as Acting Secretary for Housing. The Hong Kong government has announced plans to tighten oversight of building renovation works, including proposed legislation to criminalise bid-rigging in maintenance contracts, as well as the establishment of a new Public Housing Buildings Control Unit to replace the ICU in November 2026.