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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting surrounding the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in different stages. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the inquiry could take several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in each building were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was among a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by police, per press accounts.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was built in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, per a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years old. Some have resided in the government-supported development since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file took 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.