A public inquiry revealed that the owners of a devastated Hong Kong housing complex failed to enforce the use of fire-resistant materials during renovations. The owners' group felt helpless in compelling the contractor to use safer materials.

The owners’ corporation of a Hong Kong housing complex devastated in the city’s deadliest fire in decades failed to convince renovation workers to use fire-resistant materials due to the absence of statutory requirements, a public inquiry heard on Friday. Tony Tsui Moon-come, chairman of the management committee of the incorporated owners of Wang Fuk Court at the time of the fire, said on Friday he and other residents were “helpless” when trying to compel contractor Prestige Construction and...