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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 suspects have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the investigation could require approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was among a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, as reported by press accounts.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals perished.