The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Inferno that Killed 151

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the estate—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to contain.

On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the fire erupted. The city's fire department determined that alarms in every tower were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was among a gathering calling for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals died.