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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to make certain all these gaps are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—advancing with speed both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.

The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could require several weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

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

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective calling for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal gathered more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.

Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also taken in by authorities, according to news outlets.

International Reaction

The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the devastating fire...instead of muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.

Historical Context and Demographics

The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, according to a population count.

Almost four in ten of its residents are estimated to be older than 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.