Hong Kong Leader Orders Probe into Deadly Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, as reported by press accounts.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 attendees died.