🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Inferno that Killed 151 The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals. Footage shows velocity of flames advancing in Hong Kong tower block. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards. No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a contractor. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control. On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the investigation could require several weeks. The fire is the worst the metropolis has witnessed in over 70 decades. Systemic Failures Identified Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire broke out. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in each building were operating inadequately. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed. A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, according to news outlets. Hong Kong's top official John Lee said that the committee would be led by a judicial officer. Global Response The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census. Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. A number have resided in the government-supported development from its inception. The city's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people died.