🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 firefighters to contain.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the probe could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed in excess of 10,000 signatures 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 authorities, per local media reports.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years old. A number have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 attendees perished.