The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Inferno that Took 151

The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could last several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire started. Local firefighters found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective petitioning for an separate review into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Some have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.