The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on three dozen private developments.
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 involved with a group calling for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.
Two other people, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, as reported by press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, per a population count.
Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years of age. A number have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-most fatal incident on file took 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees died.
