The city's Leader Orders Probe into Deadly Blaze that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the investigation could take several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire broke out. The city's fire department determined that alarms in every tower were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, per press accounts.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. Some have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.
