The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
On that day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the inquiry could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per press accounts.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, based on a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.
