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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and took over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by authorities, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have resided in the government-supported development from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 people lost their lives.