🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—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 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters determined that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, including a past council member, were also taken in by officers, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, per a population count.

Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on file killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.