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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 individuals have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and took in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An internet-based appeal gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by officers, as reported by local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the devastating fire...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 individuals died.