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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to make certain all these loopholes are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and took over 2,000 firefighters to contain.

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

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze started. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in each building were not working effectively.

The relevant regulatory body has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was among a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An internet-based appeal amassed in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by authorities, according to press accounts.

International Reaction

The rights group and The monitoring body have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees perished.