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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it ignited, and required 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 probe could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.

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

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

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

International Reaction

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

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people perished.