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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

At least 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to ensure that all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and required in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An online petition gathered over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by police, according to press accounts.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, based on a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record took 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.