Hong Kong Leader Directs Probe into Tragic Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a construction company.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are eliminated," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the probe could take approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
The city's construction authority has halted for now construction activities on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An online petition collected over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, per news outlets.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, based on a population count.
Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.
