The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Fatal Inferno that Killed 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.
"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 respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the probe could last several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also detained by officers, per news outlets.
International Reaction
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 people lost their lives.
