🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Deadly Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151 The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people. Footage shows velocity of fire spread in the city's tower block. A Fire of Historic Proportions This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance. No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a building firm. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader. The Probe and Its Consequences The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to subdue. That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could take several weeks. The fire is the most fatal the metropolis has witnessed in more than 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was part of a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down. A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports. The city's leader John Lee announced that the inquiry would be headed by a judge. Global Response Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests. "The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the origins of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, based on a population count. Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. A number have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception. Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 attendees died.