Hong Kong Leader Directs Investigation into Deadly Fire that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire broke out. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in each building were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority 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 individual on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was among a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.
Global Response
The human rights organization 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 muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, per a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on record took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.