The city's Leader Directs Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a contractor.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and took over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could require several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident started. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, according to local media reports.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.
Almost four in ten of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have resided in the government-supported development since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 people lost their lives.
