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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by officers, as reported by local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be older than 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.