🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Inferno that Took 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 residents. Video depicts speed of flames advancing in Hong Kong residential tower. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale This past Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance. No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a construction company. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are plucked," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The fire—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took over 2,000 firefighters to subdue. On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could require approximately a month. This blaze is the worst the region has experienced in exceeding 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in every tower were operating inadequately. The relevant regulatory body has put on hold construction activities on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An online petition collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its information was removed. Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports. The city's leader John Lee announced that the committee would be led by a member of the judiciary. Global Response Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was built in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey. Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the public housing complex since its construction. Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals died.