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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could require three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.

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

International Reaction

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

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.