🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people. Video shows velocity of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance. No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are addressed," he said. Investigation and Aftermath The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain. That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could require three to four weeks. This blaze is the deadliest the region has experienced in more than 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered Several residents have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department determined that warning systems in every tower were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold construction activities on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed. Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by authorities, per press accounts. Chief executive John Lee stated that the task force would be chaired by a member of the judiciary. International Reaction The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the said apprehensions. "Now is the time for the city's officials 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 housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, based on a population count. Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction. Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.