Hong Kong Leader Directs Probe into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could last approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire started. The city's fire department discovered that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has put on hold works on 30 private projects.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, as reported by news outlets.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the public housing complex since it was built.
The city's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 people died.
