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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—which was subject to significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.

That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the investigation could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that warning systems in every tower were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold construction activities on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was among a group demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, as reported by press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

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

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be over 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees lost their lives.