Hong Kong leader orders investigation into deadly fire that killed 151

Hong Kong leader John Lee ordered the formation of an independent commission to investigate the cause of the devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.

Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential towers in the Wang Fook Court residential complex, which were undergoing extensive renovations, caught fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, including directors of a construction company.

The fire is the deadliest the city has witnessed in more than 70 years, and the death toll may rise as officials continue to recover bodies.

CEO Lee said the committee will be headed by a judge and will carry out “comprehensive reform,” adding that he will work to “prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

When asked at a news conference why he was keeping his job, Lee acknowledged that reform was necessary, but failed to address the issue directly.

“Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major fire. Yes, we need to fix. Yes, we have identified failures at different stages. This is precisely why we must work hard to ensure that all these loopholes are closed,” he said.

The fire – which quickly spread up and between blocks – was only extinguished by Friday morning, about 40 hours after it started, and it took more than 2,000 firefighters to bring it under control.

On the same day, police began entering the buildings to collect evidence. Authorities say the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Officials said the fire quickly spread through the detached towers onto protective grates and other flammable materials outside the buildings.

Several residents said they did not hear the fire alarm when the fire broke out. The Hong Kong Fire Service found that alarms in all eight complexes were not working effectively.

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

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

Local media reports said that police also arrested two other people, including a former local council member.

When asked about the matter on Tuesday, Lee did not address the question directly, but said that “criminals who commit crimes should be brought to justice.”

He added: “I affirm that I will not tolerate any crimes, especially crimes that exploit the tragedy we are facing now.”

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticized the reported arrests.

“It is now time for the Hong Kong authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the causes of the devastating fire… instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions,” Amnesty International said.

Built in 1983, Wang Fook Court provided 1,984 apartments for about 4,600 residents, according to the 2021 government census.

It is estimated that approximately 40% of its population is at least 65 years old. Some live in a subsidized housing area since its construction.

The second deadliest fire on record in Hong Kong killed 176 people in 1948, and was caused by an explosion on the ground floor of a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest accident was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 people died.