The city's Leader Directs Probe into Deadly Fire that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
At least 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the executives of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, as reported by press accounts.
Global Response
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.
The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.
