Hong Kong authorities have initiated a sweeping investigation into the catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex that claimed at least 151 lives, marking the city’s deadliest structural blaze in over seven decades. Chief Executive John Lee announced the formation of an independent judicial committee to examine the systemic failures that led to the tragedy, which engulfed seven of eight tower blocks undergoing renovation last Wednesday.
The fire’s rapid propagation across multiple buildings occurred through flammable protective netting that failed to meet safety standards, with the inferno requiring 40 hours and over 2,000 firefighters to fully extinguish. Authorities have arrested 13 individuals, including construction company directors, on suspicion of manslaughter, while the buildings department has suspended 30 private projects pending safety reviews.
Critical safety failures emerged during initial investigations, with fire alarms in all eight blocks found non-functional during the blaze. The tragedy has exposed significant gaps in renovation safety protocols, particularly concerning elderly residents who comprise nearly 40% of the complex’s 4,600 inhabitants.
Controversy has intensified as police detained three individuals, including a former district councilor and a 24-year-old petitioner seeking an independent inquiry. The online petition gathered over 10,000 signatures before being removed from platforms. Human rights organizations including Amnesty International have condemned the arrests as suppressing legitimate inquiry.
Chief Executive Lee defended the government’s response, stating ‘criminals that commit offences must be taken to justice’ while acknowledging the need for comprehensive reform. The official investigation is expected to take three to four weeks as forensic teams continue recovering victims from the devastated complex.