🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Tragic Blaze that Took 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 residents. Images depicts velocity of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the estate—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards. A minimum of 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the directors of a building firm. "It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are plucked," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain. That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could take three to four weeks. The fire is the most fatal the region has seen in exceeding 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident erupted. The city's fire department discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively. The city's construction authority has halted for now works on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of subversion on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down. Another two individuals, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by officers, per news outlets. Hong Kong's top official John Lee announced that the inquiry would be led by a judge. International Reaction Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions. "Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, according to a population count. Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate since its construction. The city's second-most fatal incident on record took 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 individuals perished.