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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the executives of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the investigation could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An online petition amassed over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by police, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had provided close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years old. Several have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.