Winnie Ho Resigns After Hong Kong Fire Inquiry Cites Bureau Failures

Hong Kong leader John Lee announced the resignation of Housing Secretary Winnie Ho on Thursday. Lee stated that Ho should bear political responsibility for the city's deadliest fire in decades, even though no personal wrongdoing was found. Ho formally resigned on Wednesday.

The massive fire broke out last November in a northern suburban district. It engulfed seven buildings within the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex. The disaster killed 168 people and displaced thousands of residents. At the time of the fire, the buildings were undergoing maintenance work.

Lee and seven other top officials bowed in apology at the start of the news conference. Many former residents of Wang Fuk Court have waited nearly a year for this accountability. They lost their homes and loved ones in the blaze.

An independent committee investigated the incident and found that the Housing Bureau’s independent checking unit failed in its supervisory duties. This finding triggered Ho's departure. The committee's work is separate from ongoing criminal investigations.

Seven people and two companies have been charged in connection with the fire. The offenses include manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud. Authorities alleged that the companies and some defendants concealed previous litigation records to win a renovation contract. That contract was worth more than 300 million Hong Kong dollars, which exceeds $38 million.