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Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

On Wednesday last week, most of the residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.

No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, including the senior figures of a contractor.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

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

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

In a related development, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was among a group calling for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by police, according to local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, per a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Several have resided in the public housing complex since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people died.