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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, per local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file 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 1918, when more than 600 people died.