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The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the executives of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could last three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire started. Local firefighters found that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a group demanding an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by officers, as reported by local media reports.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.

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

The city's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.