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The city's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.

"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could require approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire started. The city's fire department found that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of incitement on Saturday. He was among a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its information was removed.

A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also detained by authorities, according to local media reports.

Global Response

Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both denounced the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

The city's second-deadliest fire on file claimed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when more than 600 people died.