🔗 Share this article

The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could last several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters 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, per news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 people died.