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The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the senior figures of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was part of a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per news outlets.

International Reaction

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

"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.