Hong Kong Leader Directs Investigation into Deadly Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the executives of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are addressed," he said.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the probe could require three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a fire alarm when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters discovered that alarms in each building were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on allegations of subversion on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, as reported by press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.
"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 people perished.