The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and required more than 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could last several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an separate review into the fire. An online petition amassed over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by police, per local media reports.

International Reaction

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

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 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 Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.