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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective demanding an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, per local media reports.

International Reaction

The rights group and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.

Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have resided in the public housing complex since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people perished.