Hong Kong officials have started a major investigation after a terrible fire in a housing estate. The fire happened last week in Tai Po and killed 151 people. Dozens more people are still missing. It is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in over 70 years.
Police have arrested thirteen people connected to the building's renovation work. They are suspected of causing deaths by negligence. At the same time, national security police have detained at least two other people. These people are not connected to the fire's cause, but were arrested for their online comments about the disaster.
The fire spread quickly through seven public housing towers. Experts say the safety netting around the buildings was not good enough. Tests show more than a third of the material was not fire-resistant. Officials believe the company used this bad netting in hidden areas to avoid checks. This helped the fire move up the buildings very fast. A senior official said the company "just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives."
People living there had complained about the renovation work for about a year before the fire. No one listened to them. The arrests this week include directors from the construction company.
The arrest of people for their online comments has caused debate. Some people ask why citizens are arrested for demanding answers, while no government officials have been charged. The city is now in a period of sadness and serious questions about building safety.