Hong Kong Orders Removal of Scaffold Mesh as Deadly High-Rise Fire Probes Continue

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Patrick Jackson, BBC

Authorities moved to remove scaffolding mesh from buildings undergoing renovations by the coming weekend as investigators pursue the causes of the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. The Wang Fuk Court housing complex fire claimed 159 lives, with 31 people still missing, underscoring safety concerns over external scaffolding and materials used in redevelopment projects.

Officials disclosed that a protective netting system installed around the complex failed to meet flame retardant standards, prompting a widening examination of construction practices citywide. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho announced that new guidelines for testing scaffolding materials would be released next week, signaling a tightening of regulatory oversight in the wake of the tragedy.

The removal operation is expected to affect approximately 300 buildings, according to the South China Morning Post, with around 200 private residences and 10 public structures currently undergoing renovations. Linn stressed that authorities would pursue accountability for contractors employing substandard scaffolding mesh and that testing samples have already been collected to determine compliance with safety norms.

Investigators confirmed that the fire spread rapidly through Wang Fuk Court, leveraging external netting and other flammable materials on the building’s exterior. Police have arrested at least 15 individuals on manslaughter charges as part of the ongoing inquiry into the incident. Searches of the interior spaces across all seven towers at the complex have been completed, with authorities now focusing on other areas of the site, including remnants of bamboo scaffolding that may complicate rescue and recovery efforts.

Police Commissioner Joe Chow acknowledged the challenging conditions, noting extensive structural damage and the ongoing need to locate potential victims. To date, 140 of the 159 identified victims have been confirmed, comprising 49 men and 91 women, ranging in age from one to 97.

Families affected by the blaze described a harrowing scene, calling for transparency and accountability as investigators continue to piece together how the tragedy unfolded and whether any improper dealings contributed to the disaster.