🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people. Images shows velocity of fire spread in the city's high-rise. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale This past Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance. No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a contractor. "This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader. Investigation and Aftermath The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and required in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control. On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could take approximately a month. The inferno is the deadliest the city has witnessed in exceeding 70 decades. Systemic Failures Identified Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. Local firefighters determined that detection devices in each building were not working effectively. The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a group petitioning for an separate review into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its information was removed. Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to news outlets. Chief executive John Lee announced that the inquiry would be led by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions. "Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a population count. Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development from its inception. The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.