An independent committee examining the devastating Tai Po blaze concluded that the fire department's handling of safety system shutoffs was due to an 'elementary mistake.' The inquiry continues to shed light on the causes of the fatal incident that claimed 168 lives.

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. An independent committee examining the causes of Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades held its 10th day of evidential hearings on Friday. The Fire Services Department’s handling of shutdown notices for the fire safety systems of the devastated Tai Po housing estate where 168 people lost their lives in November is expected to be the focus of the...