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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

At least 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, among them the executives of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these deficiencies are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could require three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Two other people, including a ex-local representative, were also taken in by officers, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

The city's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.