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The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

This past Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, including the directors of a construction company.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to contain.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could require several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold construction activities on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was part of a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, including a past council member, were also questioned by police, according to press accounts.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests.

"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.

Historical Context and Demographics

Wang Fuk Court was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, per a population count.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.

The city's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people died.