🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Killed 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people. Footage depicts velocity of blaze propagation in the city's tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the estate—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance. A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee. Investigation and Aftermath The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain. On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could last three to four weeks. The fire is the worst the metropolis has experienced in over 70 decades. Systemic Failures Identified Several residents have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning. The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down. Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, according to local media reports. The city's leader John Lee said that the committee would be headed by a judge. Global Response Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests. "Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census. Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Some have resided in the public housing complex since it was built. Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.