Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, per local media reports.
International Reaction
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 inhabitants, based on a population count.
Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 attendees died.
