The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee speaks at a press conference on December 12, 2025. Photo: Screenshot of local media reports

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee announced on Friday the appointment of David Lok as chair of an independent commission to investigate the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court, after considering the recommendation of the Chief Justice Andrew Cheung. The commission is empowered to investigate issues such as the cause of the fire and whether the maintenance of the buildings involved met the regulatory requirements. The commission is asked to complete its report within nine months. 

Lee said during a press conference that he had repeatedly stated the need to thoroughly investigate the Wang Fuk Court incident and to ensure that justice is served. Last week, the HKSAR government announced the establishment of an independent committee chaired by a judge to examine the causes of the fire and its rapid spread. 

Lee said has decided to appoint Judge David Lok, who is also the chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, as the chair of the independent committee, with Chan Kin-po and Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen serving as members of the commission.

The committee has been empowered to investigate the following matters including the cause of the fire, the reasons behind its rapid spread, and the factors leading to casualties; whether the building's fire-fighting equipment, maintenance works, safety standards and regulatory mechanisms were compliant; whether there were improper commercial interests, bid-rigging, or corruption involved in the major repair works; and to review whether the current laws and penalty mechanisms are adequate, and to put forward improvement recommendations, Lee said. 

The death toll from the Wang Fuk Court fire had risen to 160 as of Tuesday, according to the police. Six people are still missing. 

All seven residential blocks of Wang Fuk Court engulfed by the deadly fire were undergoing renovation before the incident, which raised public concern over whether the external scaffolding used in repair works posed safety risks.

Lee also noted that the independent committee is expected to complete its report within nine months. Given the wide scope of the review — especially the complex issues involving interconnected bid-rigging interests — the committee has been granted the greatest autonomy and flexibility, with streamlined procedures. 

It has also been given a reserve power mechanism: If, during the review, the committee considers it necessary to acquire statutory powers on specific topics or aspects, it may make a recommendation to the Chief Executive. This would allow the committee to be constituted as a statutory commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance, enabling it to exercise statutory powers to obtain the necessary information and facts for a full understanding of the truth.

Following the incident, the HKSAR government would provide comprehensive assistance to residents in rebuilding their homes and restoring normal life as quickly as possible, based on the principles of "empathy, reason and law," said Lee. 

The HKSAR government acted swiftly and arranged temporary accommodation for more than 4,000 affected residents within a short period of time, including hotel rooms, youth hostels and transitional housing, to ensure that residents' basic living needs were safeguarded, Lee said. 

To implement long-term support measures, Lee has instructed Deputy Financial Secretary Wong Wai-lun, who leads a task force on emergency accommodation arrangements, to coordinate relevant policy bureaus and departments in formulating concrete proposals. The proposals will fully take into account residents' individual circumstances and preferences, ensure the proper use of public resources, and assist affected families in rebuilding their homes.