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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could require three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have stated they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, as reported by news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...as opposed to suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees lost their lives.