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The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.

"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it started, and took over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could take several weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Multiple inhabitants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department found that alarms in each building were malfunctioning.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per press accounts.

Global Response

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

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

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.