Hong Kong Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the investigation could last three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the incident started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.
The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations of subversion on Saturday. He was part of a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, according to local media reports.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...as opposed to suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years old. A number have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.
