Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are eliminated," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and took over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, according to news outlets.
Global Response
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, according to a population count.
Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Several have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees died.