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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the directors of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and took over 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the inquiry could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the incident broke out. Local firefighters determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Two other people, including a past council member, were also questioned by officers, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.