Deadly Hong Kong Tower Block Fire Claims 36 Lives
A devastating fire tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, becoming the city's deadliest blaze in decades. The fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po claimed the lives of 36 people, with a further 279 individuals reported missing in the immediate aftermath.
The residential complex comprises eight towering blocks, each standing 31 storeys high. These buildings collectively contain approximately 2,000 flats, providing homes for an estimated 4,800 residents.
Bamboo Scaffolding Under Scrutiny for Accelerating Blaze
While the exact cause of the ignition remains under investigation, authorities believe the bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh encasing the buildings acted as a primary conduit for the fire's rapid spread between apartments.
Hong Kong is one of the final major urban centres globally where bamboo remains a widely used construction material. The intricate lattices, bound with zip ties and draped around modern skyscrapers, form a familiar cityscape. Valued for being lighter and more cost-effective than metal alternatives, its use is also a centuries-old craft, depicted in Han dynasty scrolls from 2,000 years ago.
Government Phase-Out and Industry Opposition
In a move directly related to safety concerns, the Hong Kong government announced in March that it would begin phasing out bamboo in favour of fire-resistant steel scaffolding. The plan mandates that 50% of public construction works must utilise metal frames. Officials noted that metal not only resists fire better but also withstands Hong Kong's humid climate more effectively than bamboo.
Official figures reveal the human cost of such accidents, showing that industrial accidents involving bamboo scaffolds have killed 23 people since 2018.
However, this transition faces opposition. The Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union has historically opposed the retirement of bamboo. They argue that assembling the scaffolds requires the unique, skilled eye of 'bamboo masters', whose livelihoods are threatened by the shift to standardised metal frames.
