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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, approximately two days after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire started. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a group calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, as reported by news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.