Hong Kong security chief vows accountability, reforms ahead of Tai Po fire report

The Fire Services Department will bear “ultimate responsibility” for following up on fire safety complaints across Hong Kong, the security chief has said, pledging legal reforms after the deadly Tai Po blaze, as an independent committee’s report is expected to identify the department as among those responsible.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung made the pledge a day after the judge-led committee submitted its final report to the government. Sources said the report would identify failings by the Fire Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Labour Department and the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit that contributed to the blaze.

During earlier public evidential hearings, counsel for the committee criticised the Fire Services Department for failing to detect that the housing estate’s fire alarm system had been deactivated and for avoiding its statutory duties.

Speaking on a radio programme on Friday, Tang said the government had taken steps to address the shortcomings and would hold those responsible fully accountable.