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The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the executives of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated over 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

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

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by authorities, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.

The city's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 individuals died.