The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Blaze that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could require three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the incident erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an separate review into the tragedy. An online petition gathered over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by police, according to press accounts.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people died.
