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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the fire erupted. The city's fire department determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by officers, according to news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals died.