The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Killed 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and required in excess of 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have said they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in every tower were operating inadequately.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was among a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by police, according to news outlets.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its residents are believed to be over 65 years of age. A number have resided in the public housing complex since it was built.
The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees lost their lives.