The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and required more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department found that alarms in each building were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its information was removed.
Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by police, according to news outlets.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.
