The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Blaze that Killed 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

Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor.

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

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in every tower were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An online petition gathered over 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by officers, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years old. Several have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.