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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, as reported by news outlets.

International Reaction

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

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on record took 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees died.