An investigation has concluded that a discarded cigarette butt is likely the cause of the high-rise apartment fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong last November, which claimed 168 lives.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the independent investigation committee looking into the Wang Fuk Court fire recently released its final investigation report containing these findings.

The independent committee explained that the ignition point is estimated to be the outdoor terraces of units 104 and 105 in one of the eight residential buildings in the complex (Wang Cheong House).

Renovation work was underway at the apartment complex at the time, and safety nets and Styrofoam panels blocking the windows were piled up to a height of 2 meters near the suspected ignition point.

The report determined that it is highly likely the fire was caused by a cigarette butt igniting combustible materials at the site.

Although the exact time of ignition could not be determined, witness statements and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage suggest the fire likely started between 2:30 PM and 2:43 PM that day.

The fire, which occurred at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in the suburban area of Tai Po, Hong Kong, on November 26 of last year, was recorded as the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in recent decades.

Seven of the eight buildings in the complex were engulfed in flames, leaving 168 people dead and 79 injured.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee formed an independent committee last December to investigate the cause of the fire, determine responsibility, and propose preventive measures.

Hong Kong authorities indicted seven individuals, including the consulting firm, the construction company, and persons in charge involved in the apartment complex renovation project, for trial in June.

(Photo: Yonhap News)