Hong Kong leader orders independent probe into city’s deadliest fire in decades as arrests rise

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee has ordered the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the deadly fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, where at least 151 people lost their lives. The blaze, one of the worst in more than seventy years, has shaken the city and prompted urgent questions about safety standards and government oversight.

The fire erupted last Wednesday, sweeping through seven of the complex’s eight residential towers, all of which were undergoing extensive renovation. Authorities later determined that the protective netting wrapped around the buildings did not meet required flame-retardant standards, a finding that has become central to the investigation.

At least thirteen individuals have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, including directors from a construction company involved in the renovation work. Officials say the death toll may climb further as recovery teams continue to enter damaged sections of the towers.

Chief Executive Lee said the independent committee would be led by a judge and tasked with carrying out a comprehensive review of the failures that contributed to the tragedy. He pledged structural reforms and promised measures to prevent similar disasters. At a press conference, Lee acknowledged that the government must address numerous shortcomings, though he did not directly respond when asked whether he should remain in office after such a catastrophic event. He said the priority was to “act seriously” and close all identified loopholes.

The fire burned for nearly forty hours before being fully extinguished on Friday morning. More than two thousand firefighters were deployed to bring it under control. Investigators say the flames spread rapidly due to the combination of external protective mesh and other flammable materials covering the buildings.

Residents have reported that they did not hear fire alarms when the blaze began. The city’s fire services later confirmed that alarms in all eight towers had not been functioning properly. In response, the Hong Kong Buildings Department has temporarily suspended work on thirty private construction projects across the city.

Police have also made additional arrests under Hong Kong’s sedition laws. A twenty-four-year-old man was detained on Saturday after joining a group calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition linked to the group gathered more than ten thousand signatures within a day before its contents were removed. Two others, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by the authorities. When questioned about these arrests, Lee said only that offenders must be brought to justice and that he would not tolerate actions that he believes exploit the tragedy.

Human rights groups have criticised the police response. Amnesty International said the authorities should focus on transparently investigating the causes of the fire rather than suppressing voices that are raising legitimate concerns. Human Rights Watch also questioned the use of sedition laws in the aftermath of a public tragedy.