🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Inferno that Took 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people. Video shows speed of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards. No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control. The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could require three to four weeks. The inferno is the most fatal the metropolis has seen in more than 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze erupted. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on 30 private projects. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its contents were wiped. Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, per news outlets. Chief executive John Lee announced that the committee would be chaired by a judicial officer. Global Response The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the alleged detentions. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census. Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception. The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 individuals perished.