The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and required over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the investigation could last three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in every tower were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by authorities, per local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 inhabitants, based on a population count.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.
