The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Took 151

Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire broke out. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by authorities, per local media reports.

International Reaction

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

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was built in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.