The city's Leader Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable 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. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.
That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could require several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
Two other people, including a ex-local representative, were also taken in by police, according to press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.
"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count.
Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Several have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.
