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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the incident started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in every tower were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also detained by officers, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have resided in the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.