🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could take several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in every tower were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was part of a collective demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, per local media reports.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 attendees died.