🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the fire started. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in each building were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was part of a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition amassed more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 people perished.