🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, approximately two days after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the inquiry could take approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition gathered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 people perished.