The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 people have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could last three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a group demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per press accounts.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.
