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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could take several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident erupted. The city's fire department determined that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a group petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees died.