The city's Leader Directs Probe into Deadly Inferno that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, according to local media reports.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.
The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.
