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The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the estate—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the directors of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are eliminated," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the probe could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident erupted. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by authorities, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Several have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-most fatal incident on in history took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 attendees died.