WhatsApp messages obtained by investigative journalists reveal that the owners of the Constellation, a high-rise residential building in [city], were aware of significant fire risks prior to the New Year’s Eve blaze that killed 41 people and injured 115, according to court documents and interviews with fire safety officials. The messages, dated [specific date], show discussions among property managers about structural vulnerabilities, including blocked emergency exits and outdated fire suppression systems, as reported by [news outlet].
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of January 1, 2024, engulfed the 18-story building in [city], with flames spreading rapidly due to flammable exterior cladding. Emergency responders arrived within 10 minutes but faced challenges accessing upper floors, according to a statement from the local fire department. A spokesperson for the department said, “The building’s design and the presence of combustible materials exacerbated the disaster.”
Investigations by the [national fire safety authority] have focused on the building’s compliance with safety regulations. A 2022 audit cited by the authority noted “critical deficiencies” in fire prevention measures, including unsecured stairwells and a malfunctioning sprinkler system. The audit’s findings were shared with the building’s management company, [company name], but no corrective actions were publicly documented until after the fire, according to internal records reviewed by [news outlet].
The owners of the Constellation, [names or entities], have not publicly addressed the WhatsApp messages. A legal representative for the company stated in a brief filing that “the allegations are under review, and the company is cooperating fully with authorities.” Meanwhile, families of the victims have filed lawsuits alleging negligence, citing the documented safety issues as evidence of prior knowledge.
Authorities in [city] have launched a criminal investigation into the fire’s cause, with prosecutors considering charges of “negligent homicide” against the building’s management. A hearing is scheduled for [date], where investigators will present evidence linking the owners’ awareness of risks to the disaster’s scale. The case has intensified scrutiny of building safety standards in [city], where similar concerns have been raised about other high-rises.
The fire has also prompted calls for stricter enforcement of fire codes. [Local official], a member of the [city] council, said, “This tragedy underscores the need for mandatory safety audits and penalties for noncompliance.” As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on whether the documented risks were ignored, as the WhatsApp messages suggest.
