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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 people have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, including the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must take decisive action to make certain all these deficiencies are eliminated," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—advancing with speed both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 firefighters to subdue.

The same day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could take approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident erupted. Local firefighters found that warning systems in every tower were operating inadequately.

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

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also questioned by authorities, per news outlets.

International Reaction

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

"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Some have resided in the government-supported development from its inception.

The city's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees lost their lives.