The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Inferno that Claimed Lives of 151

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze started. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition collected more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also detained by officers, as reported by news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the government-supported development since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals died.