🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Inferno that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals. Footage shows velocity of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Fire of Historic Proportions Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations. No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a contractor. "Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," he said. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took more than 2,000 firefighters to contain. The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the investigation could require several weeks. The fire is the worst the city has witnessed in over 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Several residents have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. Local firefighters determined that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately. The city's construction authority has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Separately, officers took into custody a young man on allegations of incitement on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed. Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, per local media reports. Hong Kong's top official John Lee said that the task force would be led by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions. "Now is the time for the local government to openly examine the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census. Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception. Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 people perished.