🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people. Video depicts rapid pace of flames advancing in Hong Kong high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations. No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the directors of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," he said. Investigation and Aftermath The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue. That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks. The fire is the worst the city has experienced in over 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended construction activities on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed. Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by police, as reported by press accounts. Chief executive John Lee stated that the task force would be led by a judge. International Reaction Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the alleged detentions. "Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census. Approximately 40 percent of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate since its construction. The city's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.