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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could require three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by police, per local media reports.

Global Response

The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Some have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 attendees perished.