🔗 Share this article The city's Leader Directs Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Claimed Lives of 151 Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people. Images shows speed of flames advancing in the city's tower block. A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards. At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the senior figures of a construction company. "It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee. The Probe and Its Consequences The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue. That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month. This blaze is the deadliest the metropolis has witnessed in exceeding 70 years. Shortcomings Uncovered Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning. Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects. Demands for Probe and Detentions Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was among a collective demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed. Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, per press accounts. Chief executive John Lee said that the inquiry would be chaired by a member of the judiciary. International Reaction Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions. "This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization. Background and Resident Profile Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey. Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built. The city's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals died.