The city's Leader Directs Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an separate review into the fire. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also detained by authorities, per news outlets.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.
Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Several have resided in the public housing complex since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people died.
