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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could take three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, per news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 individuals lost their lives.