Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Deadly Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that detection devices in each building were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An online petition gathered over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.
Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by officers, as reported by news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have lived in the government-supported development from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.
