🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Blaze that Took 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people. Video depicts rapid pace of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Fire of Historic Proportions This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations. A minimum of 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the directors of a contractor. "This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee. The Probe and Its Consequences The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control. That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks. The inferno is the most fatal the city has seen in exceeding 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in every tower were operating inadequately. Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down. A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by police, as reported by local media reports. The city's leader John Lee announced that the inquiry would be chaired by a judge. International Reaction Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests. "The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, per a population count. Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have lived in the government-supported development since it was built. The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.