🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended construction activities on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a group demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by police, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.