🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department found that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

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

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was part of a gathering calling for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also questioned by officers, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

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

"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.