Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Blaze that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and took over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could require approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in every tower were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, according to press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Almost four in ten of its residents are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 people perished.
