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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to extensive renovations—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.

A minimum of 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the inquiry could take three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, comprising a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The rights group and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.

"The moment has come for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex since it was built.

The city's second-most fatal incident on in history claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 attendees perished.