🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Blaze that Killed 151 The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 residents. Images depicts speed of blaze propagation in Hong Kong residential tower. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations. At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the executives of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader. Investigation and Aftermath The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control. On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the inquiry could take approximately a month. The inferno is the worst the metropolis has experienced in over 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped. A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by police, according to press accounts. Hong Kong's top official John Lee said that the inquiry would be headed by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests. "Now is the time for the city's officials to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey. Nearly 40% of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex from its inception. Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals died.