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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 tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are plucked," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also questioned by police, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census.

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

The city's second-worst blaze on record took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals lost their lives.