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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the probe could take several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a young man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was built in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 people lost their lives.