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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could require several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition gathered more than 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 police, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Several have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals died.