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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could require several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire broke out. The city's fire department discovered that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 people perished.