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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 took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

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

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire started. The city's fire department found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

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

Global Response

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

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.