🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the executives of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, approximately two days after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department found that alarms in each building were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 attendees perished.