🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Tragic Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 people. Video reveals velocity of fire spread in Hong Kong high-rise. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance. No fewer than 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee. Investigation and Aftermath The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to contain. The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month. The fire is the most fatal the city has experienced in exceeding 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified Several residents have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze started. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning. Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped. A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, according to news outlets. Chief executive John Lee said that the committee would be chaired by a judge. International Reaction Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests. "The moment has come for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization. Historical Context and Demographics The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census. Almost four in ten of its occupants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction. The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees died.