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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could require approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...rather than muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.