The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Fatal Inferno 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 devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," he said.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the probe could take three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service found that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a group calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition collected more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also detained by police, as reported by news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a population count.
Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees perished.
