Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident broke out. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 occupants, per a population count.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.
