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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

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

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could last several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have reported they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident erupted. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to incitement on the weekend. He was among a gathering demanding an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.

Two other people, among them a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per local media reports.

Global Response

The rights group and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the local government to openly examine the origins of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, per a population count.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals perished.