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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has halted for now works on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition collected over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by authorities, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the local government to openly examine the causes of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people died.