The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, 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 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire erupted. The city's fire department determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, police reportedly detained a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.
Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also taken in by authorities, per press accounts.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, based on a population count.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Some have lived in the government-supported development from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.
