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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," stated the leader.

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, around 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

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 failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire started. Local firefighters determined that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was among a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by police, per news outlets.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was constructed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census.

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

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 individuals died.