Mong Kok fire inquest begins

An inquest has begun into the deadly fire in Mong Kok, which killed nine people and injured many others in 2011.

Opening the hearing on Monday morning, Coroner Michael Chan Pik-kiu said the inquest would determine the circumstances and causes leading up to the deaths.

Seventy-five witnesses are expected to testify at the 15 days of hearings in Coroner’s Court.

The blaze broke out in open-air market stalls along Fai Yuen Street on November 30 at 4.40am, becoming the deadliest fire since the handover.

Nine people died and 34 were injured.

A 12-month police investigation blamed faulty wiring for the blaze, which was fanned by wind and spread to nearby residential buildings.