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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, including the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must act seriously to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. Local firefighters discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was part of a group calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, among them a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, according to news outlets.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Some have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.