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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could require approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the incident erupted. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An online petition gathered over 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by police, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

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

"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.