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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, including the executives of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could require approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department determined that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.

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 individual on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a gathering calling for an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be at least 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 individuals died.