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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the executives of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could last three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire started. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in every tower were not working effectively.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a young man on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, as reported by press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and The monitoring body have both condemned the alleged detentions.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be older than 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on record took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people lost their lives.