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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire started. The city's fire department found that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was among a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition collected over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by police, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.