🔗 Share this article The city's Leader Directs Probe into Fatal Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals. Footage reveals velocity of flames advancing in the city's high-rise. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations. A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a contractor. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control. The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could take several weeks. The fire is the deadliest the region has seen in exceeding 70 decades. Systemic Failures Identified A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites. Demands for Probe and Detentions In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a collective petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped. Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by authorities, as reported by news outlets. The city's leader John Lee said that the task force would be chaired by a judicial officer. Global Response Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests. "Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group. Background and Resident Profile The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey. Almost four in ten of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since it was built. Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.