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

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze started. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

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

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, per news outlets.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, per a population count.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees died.