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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

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

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering demanding an separate review into the fire. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by police, as reported by news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years old. Several have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file claimed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.