🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Killed 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents. Images shows velocity of blaze propagation in the city's high-rise. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations. A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a construction company. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader. Investigation and Aftermath The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue. That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the inquiry could last several weeks. The fire is the worst the metropolis has witnessed in over 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Additionally, police reportedly detained a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition amassed more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed. Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also questioned by officers, as reported by press accounts. The city's leader John Lee announced that the committee would be led by a judge. International Reaction Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions. "The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey. Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction. The city's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.