Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday pledged to get to the bottom of the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, vowing to hold anyone responsible regardless of their background and social status, and based on facts.

He was speaking to legislators ahead of the first session of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's eighth-term Legislative Council following last month’s legislative elections.

Lee said the new legislature has the dual responsibilities of overseeing fire recovery efforts and driving economic and social development.

He vowed to pursue accountability for the city’s deadliest blaze in decades that took at least 161 lives and displaced nearly 2,000 households in November last year.

“Anyone involved, whether government or non-government personnel, whether at the grassroots or senior levels, will be held responsible and punished, based on the facts,” Lee said.

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He also addressed the long-term housing arrangements for the affected families, acknowledging differing views and opinions. The government, he said, has collected preliminary opinions, and relevant working groups will analyze the findings to make long-term accommodation plans as soon as possible.

The SAR government will promote systemic reform and immediately implement improvement measures across all relevant areas, devoting full efforts to recovery work to help the families rebuild their lives.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com