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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the executives of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could take several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident broke out. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.

Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was among a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have resided in the public housing complex from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees lost their lives.