🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals. Video reveals velocity of flames advancing in Hong Kong high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations. A minimum of 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 firefighters to contain. That very day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could require approximately a month. The fire is the deadliest the region has seen in more than 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in every tower were not working effectively. The relevant regulatory body has put on hold works on 30 private projects. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Additionally, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a collective calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed. Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, according to press accounts. The city's leader John Lee announced that the committee would be chaired by a judicial officer. International Reaction Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests. "Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count. Almost four in ten of its occupants are believed to be over 65 years old. Some have resided in the public housing complex from its inception. Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.