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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also taken in by officers, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.