🔗 Share this article The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Fatal Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals. Images depicts velocity of blaze propagation in Hong Kong residential tower. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations. At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain. The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could require approximately a month. The inferno is the deadliest the region has witnessed in more than 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Local firefighters determined that alarms in each building were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of incitement on Saturday. He was among a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its page was taken down. Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by officers, according to press accounts. The city's leader John Lee announced that the task force would be led by a member of the judiciary. International Reaction The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests. "This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization. Historical Context and Demographics Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census. Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction. Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 people perished.