🔗 Share this article

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and required more than 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.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters found that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was part of a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by police, per press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Several have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.