🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals. Video reveals rapid pace of blaze propagation in the city's high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations. A minimum of 13 individuals have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," he said. Investigation and Aftermath The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 firefighters to subdue. The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month. This blaze is the deadliest the metropolis has seen in exceeding 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in each building were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on 30 private projects. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped. A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, according to local media reports. Chief executive John Lee announced that the inquiry would be led by a judge. International Reaction The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization. Historical Context and Demographics Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census. Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built. The city's second-most fatal incident on record killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 attendees died.