🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents. Images depicts rapid pace of fire spread in the city's high-rise. A Fire of Historic Proportions This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations. At least 13 individuals have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the executives of a construction company. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it started, and required in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue. On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could take several weeks. The inferno is the deadliest the metropolis has witnessed in over 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered Several residents have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments. Demands for Probe and Detentions Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a group calling for an separate review into the fire. An online petition collected over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down. Two other people, including a ex-local representative, were also questioned by officers, as reported by press accounts. Chief executive John Lee announced that the committee would be led by a judicial officer. Global Response The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions. "This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census. Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are believed to be older than 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception. The city's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.