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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the estate—which was subject to extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the inquiry could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the incident broke out. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was among a gathering petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also detained by police, per press accounts.

International Reaction

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

"The moment has come for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Several have lived in the government-supported development since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record 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 1918, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.