🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the executives of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold construction activities on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also detained by authorities, per news outlets.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 attendees died.