The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Killed 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could last several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was part of a gathering calling for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also questioned by officers, according to press accounts.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census.
Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built.
The city's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.