🔗 Share this article The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Fire that Took 151 Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals. Images reveals rapid pace of fire spread in Hong Kong tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance. At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a building firm. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader. The Probe and Its Consequences The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue. On that day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could require several weeks. The inferno is the deadliest the city has seen in exceeding 70 decades. Shortcomings Uncovered A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning. The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites. Calls for Inquiry and Arrests Separately, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped. Two other people, including a past council member, were also detained by police, according to press accounts. Chief executive John Lee stated that the committee would be led by a member of the judiciary. Global Response The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions. "The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said. Background and Resident Profile The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count. Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction. Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 people perished.