Hong Kong Orders City-Wide Removal of Flammable Scaffolding Nets After Fatal Fire
Hong Kong authorities have issued an urgent city-wide order for the removal of a specific type of scaffolding safety netting from construction sites, following a deadly residential fire that killed at least 151 people. The government mandate comes after investigations revealed that substandard, flammable netting contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, the city's deadliest in decades [16168][16261].
The fire occurred at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, where the building was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and synthetic safety nets during renovation work [17983]. Officials confirmed that the netting used at the site did not meet official fire-safety standards and, in some cases, was installed with suspected fake safety certificates [16229][18258]. The material, often made from polymers like polyethylene or nylon, is designed to catch debris but is not inherently fire-resistant. When exposed to flames, it can ignite, produce burning droplets, and trap smoke, accelerating a fire's growth [20380][17911][18385].
"The mandated netting can trap smoke and accelerate the spread of fire," officials stated, ordering contractors to replace it with non-flammable alternatives, such as metal sheeting, or remove it entirely [17911][18385]. Contractors are now scrambling to meet strict government deadlines, with an industry representative noting the complex removal process may extend beyond the official cutoff date [20004].
The tragedy has exposed critical failures in safety compliance and oversight. Authorities allege that some contractors not only used the illegal netting but also attempted to conceal it from inspectors after the fire [16142]. The principal contractor for the renovation project had a previous conviction for safety offences, raising questions about regulatory enforcement [13999].
In response, the government has launched a sweeping review of fire safety regulations for buildings under renovation [17911]. However, the chairman of the Construction Industry Council, Thomas Ho On-sing, warned that fire risks persist on many sites, citing the continued presence of highly flammable materials like styrofoam boards [19883]. "The industry has failed to learn from that tragedy," Ho stated, urging strict adherence to safety rules [19883].
The mass removal order stands as an immediate precautionary measure, but experts are calling for a permanent overhaul of building safety standards and closer supervision of maintenance work to prevent future disasters [15008].