Winnie Ho Resigns After Fire Probe Cites Oversight Gaps

Hong Kong leader John Lee accepted the resignation of Housing Secretary Winnie Ho on Thursday, citing a lack of regulatory oversight in the city's deadliest fire in decades. Lee stated that Ho must bear political responsibility, though the inquiry found no personal wrongdoing on her part. The resignation was confirmed after Ho formally stepped down the previous day.

A fire in November of last year consumed seven buildings within the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in a northern suburban district. The blaze killed 168 people and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. At the time of the disaster, the buildings were undergoing maintenance work.

An independent committee investigating the incident determined that the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit failed in its supervisory duties. This administrative failure occurred while the buildings were being renovated. Residents of the complex have waited nearly a year for the government to address accountability for the loss of their lives and properties.

Lee and seven other senior officials bowed in apology at the start of a news conference to announce the decision. Lee described the committee's findings as the basis for Ho's departure, emphasizing the need for clearer administrative lines of responsibility.

The administrative inquiry operates separately from ongoing criminal proceedings. Seven individuals and two companies face charges including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud. Prosecutors allege that the companies and several defendants conspired to hide prior litigation records to secure a renovation contract worth more than 300 million Hong Kong dollars, or over 38 million US dollars.

The criminal case focuses on the financial deception involved in awarding the maintenance project. The administrative review focused on the government's failure to monitor that work. Both processes aim to determine how the complex's maintenance led to the catastrophic fire.