🔗 Share this article

The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the probe could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire broke out. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a collective demanding an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by police, per local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.