Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Fatal Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has put on hold works on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an separate review into the fire. An online petition collected more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also detained by officers, per local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees perished.