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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, among them the executives of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it began, and took over 2,000 firefighters to contain.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the investigation could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire started. The city's fire department found that warning systems in every tower were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now construction activities on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to subversion on the weekend. He was part of a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also questioned by officers, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. Several have lived in the public housing complex since it was built.

The city's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.