The city's Leader Directs Investigation into Deadly Blaze that Killed 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the probe could last several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident started. The city's fire department discovered that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was among a group calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also detained by police, according to local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.
Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.
The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.
