🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Leader Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Killed 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals. Video depicts velocity of fire spread in Hong Kong high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards. No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these deficiencies are eliminated," stated the leader. Investigation and Aftermath The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control. The same day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the inquiry could last three to four weeks. The inferno is the most fatal the metropolis has seen in over 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective demanding an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its information was removed. Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also detained by authorities, as reported by news outlets. Hong Kong's top official John Lee announced that the inquiry would be led by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions. "The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a population count. Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since it was built. Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees died.