Hong Kong leaders order investigation into deadly fire that killed 151 people

Hong Kong leader Lee Ka-chiu has ordered the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the causes of the devastating fires that killed at least 151 people.

Last Wednesday, seven of the eight tower blocks in the Wang Fook Court residential complex, which is undergoing extensive renovations, caught fire. Investigators have since discovered that the protective netting used around the building did not meet fire-retardant standards.

At least 13 people, including the director of a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

It is the city’s worst fire in more than 70 years and the death toll is likely to rise further as officials continue to recover bodies.

Chief Executive Lee said the commission would be led by a judge and would carry out “comprehensive reforms,” ​​adding that he would work to “prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.”

Asked at a news conference why he wanted to keep his job, Mr Lee acknowledged the need for reforms but did not answer the question directly.

“Yes, this is a tragedy, this is a fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures at different stages. That is why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are filled,” he said.

The fire spread rapidly upward and between blocks and was not completely extinguished until Friday morning, about 40 hours after it started, when more than 2,000 firefighters brought the blaze under control.

That same day, police began entering the building to collect evidence. Authorities said the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Officials said the flames quickly spread to individual towers covered in protective mesh and other flammable materials on the building’s exterior.

Some residents said they did not hear fire alarms when the fire broke out. Hong Kong’s fire department discovered that sirens in all eight blocks were not functioning effectively.

The Hong Kong Buildings Department has suspended work on 30 private projects.

Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on Saturday on suspicion of sedition. He is part of a group petitioning for an independent investigation into the fire. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its content was removed.

Two other people, including a former district councilor, were also taken away by police, local media reported.

Asked about the matter on Tuesday, Lee Myung-bak did not answer the question directly but said “criminals must be brought to justice.”

“I stress that I will not tolerate any criminal behavior, especially criminal behavior that takes advantage of the tragedy we are facing now.”

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both criticized the reported arrests.

“It is time for Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of this devastating fire… rather than silence those who raise legitimate questions,” Amnesty International said.

According to the 2021 government census, Wang Fook Court was built in 1983 and has provided 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents.

It is estimated that nearly 40% of residents are at least 65 years old. Some have lived in affordable housing since it was built.

In 1948, Hong Kong suffered its second-worst fire on record, killing 176 people, caused by an explosion on the ground floor of a five-story warehouse. The deadliest was Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 people died.