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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could take several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Local firefighters found that alarms in each building were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per press accounts.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. Some have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 individuals died.