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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the blaze erupted. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was part of a group calling for an separate review into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be older than 65 years old. Several have lived in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 people perished.