An inquiry into last November’s devastating fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has determined that smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death for at least 91 of the 168 victims. Experts concluded the high death toll was “totally avoidable,” citing human error as a key factor, specifically the disabling of fire alarms. The public inquiry revealed a significant portion of fatalities resulted from breathing in toxic fumes rather than from burns. The investigation focused on identifying systemic failures that contributed to the scale of the tragedy, which represents the city’s deadliest fire in recent history. Findings suggest preventable circumstances exacerbated the disaster, raising questions about safety protocols and emergency response. The independent committee’s report is expected to lead to recommendations for improved fire safety regulations and procedures.