Two fires in two days underline the need for more safety checks
Adeep sense of shock and grief is weighing after two serious fires were reported in under 24 hours, with one killing at least five people. Unrelated as they are, the mishaps say something about the same underlying problems that have regrettably become all too familiar in a city where fire hazards are often taken for granted. It was not just bad luck when a No 3 alarm fire ripped through New Lucky House in Jordan yesterday morning. The decades-old corner block comprises hundreds of residential flats and subdivided units, dozens of budget guest houses, medical facilities and other commercial tenants. Initial investigations showed the fire broke out at the lobby of the first floor outside a gym and spread to upper floors. Firefighters rescued some 250 people from the premises, including 35 suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Five were later pronounced dead.
The exact cause of the deadly blaze is now under investigation by the Fire Services Department. But in what looks like an accident waiting to happen, the episode comes with the usual circumstances – old buildings with outdated safety standards, mixed residential and commercial use, subdivided flats of poor quality – that have been blamed in similar tragedies before. The latest case is another sad reminder that the countless number of these ageing blocks are potential death traps when something goes wrong.
The Jordan inferno came as firefighters were still battling to control a raging blaze that broke out on Tuesday at a housing construction site in Tin Shui Wai. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported and two cranes in question were later certified as structurally safe. An initial probe suggested it might have been caused by sparks from metal-cutting equipment, raising questions over work safety and fire-prevention awareness of those involved.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was highly concerned about the Jordan fire, adding that he had told the Hospital Authority to do its best to treat the injured, and the police and fire department to investigate the cause of the incident. But the recurrence of deadly fires at old buildings calls for more proactive efforts in prevention.
Instead of just responding passively when serious mishaps occur, it would do well for the relevant authorities to review building and fire safety. No less important are better promotion of fire-safety awareness among the public and resolute enforcement actions against violations of standards. Admittedly, many old problems cannot be resolved overnight. But officials must go beyond a routine investigation and identify ways that can genuinely make old buildings safe. The last thing the public wants is some piecemeal response until a tragedy turns the spotlight on again.