🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Blaze that Killed 151 Hong Kong'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 residents. Images shows rapid pace of flames advancing in Hong Kong residential tower. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards. A minimum of 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee. Investigation and Aftermath The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, approximately two days after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain. The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the investigation could take approximately a month. This blaze is the most fatal the city has witnessed in over 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. Local firefighters determined that alarms in each building were operating inadequately. Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests In a related development, police reportedly detained a young man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An online petition collected more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down. A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by authorities, per press accounts. Hong Kong's top official John Lee announced that the inquiry would be led by a judicial officer. Global Response Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions. "The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count. Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be over 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built. Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.