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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the investigation could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

The city's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people died.