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The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it ignited, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could require several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they did not hear a smoke detector when the incident started. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in each building were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, per a recent official survey.

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

The city's second-most fatal incident on file took 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 individuals died.