Shock is giving way to anger in Hong Kong after a massive fire ripped through a densely populated subsidised housing estate on Wednesday, killing at least 128 people and critically injuring dozens. Authorities say substandard mesh and plastic sheets on the buildings' windows may have spread the blaze, which raged for more than a day, leaving dozens of residents unaccounted for.
Questions are mounting about how the fire at Wang Fuk Court spread so rapidly and who is responsible, with many labeling it a man-made disaster. Three individuals associated with the renovation of the blocks are under arrest, and a corruption inquiry has been launched.
In the aftermath, a viral social media post echoes the sentiment: It's not an accident. Many residents reported that the fire alarms did not activate during the crisis. Authorities confirmed issues with the alarms during inspections, noting that they had been turned off amid renovation works.
One resident, Kiko Ma, criticized the renovation firm's use of poor quality, flammable materials, stating, This was preventable... A lot of people did not do their duties.
The death toll makes this Hong Kong's deadliest fire in 63 years, with the city grappling with the tragedy while hundreds of residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Reports indicate that the fire's rapid spread was attributed to flammable materials improperly used during renovations, raising alarms about safety standards and negligence.
Authorities have ordered inspections of all major housing estates undergoing repairs to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The community's anger reflects a deep-seated frustration over safety and transparency in building management and construction practices.}
Questions are mounting about how the fire at Wang Fuk Court spread so rapidly and who is responsible, with many labeling it a man-made disaster. Three individuals associated with the renovation of the blocks are under arrest, and a corruption inquiry has been launched.
In the aftermath, a viral social media post echoes the sentiment: It's not an accident. Many residents reported that the fire alarms did not activate during the crisis. Authorities confirmed issues with the alarms during inspections, noting that they had been turned off amid renovation works.
One resident, Kiko Ma, criticized the renovation firm's use of poor quality, flammable materials, stating, This was preventable... A lot of people did not do their duties.
The death toll makes this Hong Kong's deadliest fire in 63 years, with the city grappling with the tragedy while hundreds of residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Reports indicate that the fire's rapid spread was attributed to flammable materials improperly used during renovations, raising alarms about safety standards and negligence.
Authorities have ordered inspections of all major housing estates undergoing repairs to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The community's anger reflects a deep-seated frustration over safety and transparency in building management and construction practices.}
