🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Killed 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents. Footage reveals velocity of fire spread in the city's residential tower. A Fire of Historic Proportions This past Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards. No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control. The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the probe could require three to four weeks. The inferno is the worst the metropolis has witnessed in exceeding 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified Several residents have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire started. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively. The relevant regulatory body has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed. A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, as reported by news outlets. Hong Kong's top official John Lee stated that the task force would be chaired by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, according to a population count. Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction. The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.