🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Leader Orders Investigation into Fatal Fire that Killed 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 people. Video reveals speed of flames advancing in Hong Kong tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance. At least 13 suspects have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these deficiencies are eliminated," stated the leader. The Probe and Its Consequences The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue. That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the inquiry could require three to four weeks. The inferno is the worst the city has seen in over 70 years. Systemic Failures Identified A number of occupants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. Local firefighters discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively. Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering calling for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped. Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, as reported by press accounts. Chief executive John Lee said that the inquiry would be chaired by a member of the judiciary. International Reaction Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions. "This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said. Historical Context and Demographics The housing estate was built in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census. Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have lived in the government-supported development since its construction. Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.