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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now construction activities on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was among a gathering calling for an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people perished.