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

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

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

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a group calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by authorities, per news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. Some have resided in the public housing complex since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.