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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in various phases. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by the end of the week, approximately two days after it ignited, and took over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could take approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the incident started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.

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

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was part of a group petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.

Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by officers, per news outlets.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, based on a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when more than 600 individuals perished.