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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

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

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has put on hold works on three dozen private developments.

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 autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also taken in by authorities, per local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years of age. A number have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.