Hong Kong Leader Directs Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the investigation could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in each building were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was among a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also taken in by police, as reported by press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. A number have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.