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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took over 2,000 firefighters to contain.

That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the probe could take approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition amassed more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...rather than muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census.

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

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals died.