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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must act seriously to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and took over 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could require three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.

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

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was involved with a group demanding an separate review into the blaze. An online petition amassed in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Two other people, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

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

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people died.