🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Leader Orders Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people. Footage reveals rapid pace of fire spread in Hong Kong high-rise. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations. At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a construction company. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain. The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last several weeks. The fire is the most fatal the city has witnessed in exceeding 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified Several residents have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in each building were not working effectively. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments. Demands for Probe and Detentions Separately, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its contents were wiped. A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, as reported by news outlets. The city's leader John Lee said that the inquiry would be led by a member of the judiciary. International Reaction The rights group and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions. "Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the causes of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was built in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey. Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction. The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 people perished.