The city's Leader Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could require approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, per press accounts.
Global Response
The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, per a population count.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years old. Some have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals died.
