🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, including the executives of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and required more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group calling for an separate review into the blaze. An online petition gathered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also questioned by police, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was built in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Several have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-most fatal incident on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 people perished.