The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Fatal Fire that Claimed Lives of 151

Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a group calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also detained by police, per news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.