Hong Kong 's leader has apologised and the housing secretary has stepped down after an independent inquiry found government departments failed to supervise renovation work before a fire that killed 168 people last year.

John Lee , the chief executive, and seven other senior officials bowed in apology at a press conference on Thursday as he announced the inquiry's findings.

The inquiry, led by a judge, found that a lit cigarette most likely started the fire on a flat roof between two flats on the first floor of one block, Wang Cheong House. It heard substantial evidence that construction workers had smoked on the site, including on the scaffolding.

Winnie Ho, the housing secretary, resigned on Wednesday, and her duties have been suspended.

"Considering that the fire took place in Wang Fuk Court and it falls within the purview of the Independent Checking Unit, which is under the Housing Bureau, the Secretary for Housing should take political accountability," Mr Lee said.…