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The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the executives of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are addressed," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the probe could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

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

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was part of a collective demanding an autonomous investigation into the fire. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, per local media reports.

Global Response

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years of age. A number have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.