Hong Kong to Launch Independent Probe Into Deadly Building Fire

Hong Kong will launch an independent committee to probe the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades, leader John Lee said, adding that a judge will lead the committee to review systemic causes behind the fire and its results will be made public.

Lee brought a message of sweeping reform to his first weekly briefing since a fire tore through a high-rise estate killing at least 151 people, and leaving 30 missing. The inferno has stoked a level of public anger not seen since major street protests about six years ago, with online petitions signed by thousands calling for an independent investigation into the disaster.