The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Blaze that Killed 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
At least 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a construction company.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the probe could require several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire broke out. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, according to news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.
Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.
