The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Fatal Inferno that Killed 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.
At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could take three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department determined that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.
The relevant regulatory body has halted for now renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was part of a group calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An online petition collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by officers, as reported by local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years of age. A number have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.
The city's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.
