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The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the inquiry could take several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire broke out. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has halted for now construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years old. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.