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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in every tower were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The rights group and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be over 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.