The Independent Commission Against Corruption said on Thursday it had launched an investigation into the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

In a statement, the city's anti-graft agency said it was deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the fire there, adding that it will look into "possible corruption issues".

"In view of the immense public interest involved, the ICAC today set up a task force to launch a full investigation into the possible corruption in the grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po," the commission said.

Earlier, comments emerged online criticising the massive renovation project at the Tai Po estate, which started in the middle of last year at a cost of HK$330 million and with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000.

Experts have pointed to long-term renovation works surrounding buildings in the eight-tower estate that might have widened the scope for the fire to spread from its origins in Wang Cheong House.

Police on Thursday earlier raided the office of the contractor of the renovations project in San Po Kong, seizing documents folders.

Some were labelled with names of estates in Tai Po and Tai Wai.