Hong Kong Leader Directs Investigation into Tragic Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and took more than 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could require approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also questioned by officers, as reported by local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.
