🔗 Share this article The city's Leader Directs Probe into Tragic Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people. Footage shows rapid pace of blaze propagation in Hong Kong 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. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance. At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue. On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could last approximately a month. The fire is the most fatal the metropolis has seen in over 70 decades. Systemic Failures Identified A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters found that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition collected over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down. Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to press accounts. Hong Kong's top official John Lee said that the committee would be headed by a judicial officer. International Reaction Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests. "The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey. Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built. Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.