Hong Kong Construction Watchdog Warns of Ongoing Fire Risks After Deadly Blaze

Fire safety risks remain a serious problem on Hong Kong construction sites, the industry's watchdog has warned. This alert comes after a scaffolding worker was fired for smoking at a major subsidized housing project. The warning follows a deadly fire in Tai Po last year. Thomas Ho On-sing, chairman of the Construction Industry Council, said the industry has failed to learn from that tragedy. "I have been inspecting construction sites recently and found that many still have styrofoam boards," Ho stated on Saturday. Styrofoam is highly flammable and can accelerate a fire. Ho criticized the ongoing safety lapses. He stressed that all site workers and managers must strictly follow safety rules to prevent future disasters.