Hong Kong Leader Directs Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could take several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have said they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was part of a collective calling for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, according to news outlets.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since it was built.
The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people perished.