
The seventh session of the independent inquiry into last year’s fire at Wang Fuk Court – Hong Kong’s deadliest in decades – is under way with the focus turning to ISS EastPoint, the estate’s property management firm.
The blaze, which started on November 26 last year and raged through seven of Wang Fuk Court’s eight towers for about 43 hours, killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents.
ISS clerk Lok Sin-ying, who was stationed at the estate, resumed her testimony on Wednesday morning before the judge-led committee.
On Tuesday, Lok told the committee she was unaware of the fire alarm system’s deactivation despite handling related shutdown notices.
Witnesses scheduled to appear on Wednesday include other ISS EastPoint employees, such as a building attendant, a technical officer, a carpenter and an electrician.
The deactivation of the fire alarm was one of the six factors behind the tragedy flagged by Victor Dawes SC, lead counsel of the committee’s legal team, during his two-day opening statement.
Follow our live updates on the seventh session of the evidential hearing.
Reporting by Leopold Chen and Edith Lin
More from our coverage:

Don't Miss:
-
UK PM Andy Burnham to visit Kyiv on Monday as Ukraine marks independence anniversary
-
Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation and Israel-Turkey tensions
-
Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East
-
Hongkong Post should focus on public service, not profit
-
Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate in Nevada as fire threatens Reno

Southeast Asia’s Fragmented Environmental Governance
After Years of Waiting, Noel Tata Presides Unchallenged over India’s Biggest Business
Despite years of confiscations, the Met still holds hundreds of pieces linked to alleged trafficking and looting figures