The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Fatal Blaze that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could require approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Local firefighters discovered that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was part of a group calling for an separate review into the fire. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also detained by police, according to press accounts.
Global Response
The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a population count.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 individuals perished.
