A recent evidential hearing revealed that fire alarm and firefighting pump systems were switched off a week before the deadliest blaze in Hong Kong's history, killing 168 people. The independent committee is seeking information on possible systemic issues, including collusion.

Fire alarm and firefighting pump systems at the housing estate engulfed in Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades were found to have been switched off a week before the tragedy struck, with no action taken to reactivate them, an evidential hearing has been told. An independent committee investigating the Tai Po blaze, which broke out on November 26 last year and killed 168 people, on Monday also called on the public to provide information on whether systematic problems – such as collusion – had....