🔗 Share this article The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Killed 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people. Video reveals rapid pace of blaze propagation in the city's high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale Last Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations. At least 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader. Investigation and Aftermath The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to subdue. That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could take several weeks. The inferno is the most fatal the region has experienced in more than 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have said they did not hear a fire alarm when the incident started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its page was taken down. A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, as reported by local media reports. The city's leader John Lee stated that the inquiry would be chaired by a judge. Global Response Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests. "Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group. Background and Resident Profile Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, based on a population count. Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex from its inception. The city's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 people lost their lives.