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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the inquiry could take several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. Local firefighters found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had provided close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a 2021 government census.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.