The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to contain.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could last three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze started. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.
The city's construction authority has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also detained by police, as reported by local media reports.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.
Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 individuals died.
