Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Probe into Tragic Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a construction company.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
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
A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident erupted. Local firefighters found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition gathered over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also questioned by officers, according to press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census.
Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.
