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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire started. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was among a group calling for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

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

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years old. Several have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees died.