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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the executives of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these deficiencies are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and took over 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the probe could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a group calling for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Two other people, among them a past council member, were also detained by officers, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

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

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the reasons of the tragic incident...as opposed to muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals died.