The city's Leader Directs Probe into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the investigation could take three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.
The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was part of a gathering calling for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also detained by authorities, per press accounts.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have resided in the public housing complex since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals died.
