Hong Kong Leader Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could take three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on allegations of incitement on Saturday. He was part of a group petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
Two other people, including a past council member, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 individuals perished.
