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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could require several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire broke out. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, comprising a past council member, were also detained by police, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was built in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 individuals died.