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The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

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

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

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the incident broke out. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a group demanding an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its information was removed.

Two other people, including a past council member, were also taken in by officers, as reported by local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was built in 1983 and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, according to a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are believed to be at least 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals died.