The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Fire that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a contractor.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a group calling for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also detained by authorities, per news outlets.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.
Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals lost their lives.
