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The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 people perished.