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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and took over 2,000 firefighters to contain.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the probe could last three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.

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

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a collective calling for an separate review into the fire. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by police, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...rather than muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Several have resided in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 attendees died.