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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could last several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have reported they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also detained by police, as reported by press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 residents, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.