🔗 Share this article

The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the probe could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also detained by police, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals died.