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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

At least 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

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

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they did not hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters found that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also questioned by officers, per press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

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

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-worst blaze on file killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 people perished.