Hong Kong Orders Scaffolding Mesh Removal After Deadly Fire as Probe Intensifies

Hong Kong authorities have ordered all scaffolding mesh to be removed from buildings under renovation by Saturday, as investigators continue to examine the city’s deadliest fire in decades. The blaze at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, has now been confirmed to have killed 159 people, with 31 residents still unaccounted for.

Preliminary findings revealed that the protective netting surrounding the complex did not meet flame-retardant standards. The material, which is commonly used during large-scale renovation projects, appears to have accelerated the rapid spread of flames across multiple tower blocks. Officials say the combination of the mesh and other flammable materials on the exterior of the buildings created conditions that allowed the fire to race vertically with devastating speed.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon ho said new guidelines for testing scaffolding materials would be issued next week. She stressed that the government intends to hold all responsible parties accountable, especially contractors who used substandard mesh. Samples from several sites have already been collected for laboratory testing.

Around two hundred private residential buildings and ten public housing sites are currently undergoing renovation in Hong Kong. Authorities have instructed contractors and property managers to remove all mesh immediately while inspections continue. Linn said the government aims to prevent similar tragedies and restore confidence in construction safety standards.

Police have arrested at least fifteen people on suspicion of manslaughter as part of the ongoing investigation. On Wednesday, investigators confirmed that they had finished searching the interior of all seven towers at Wang Fuk Court. Their next step will focus on exterior areas, especially the collapsed bamboo scaffolding, where more bodies may be found. Police Commissioner Joe Chow said large portions of bamboo had fallen during the fire and must be examined carefully. He added that 140 of the 159 bodies found so far have been identified, ranging from a one year old child to a ninety seven year old resident.

The human toll of the fire continues to shake the community. A couple in their seventies, who lost their home in the blaze, returned to the site with their daughter to survey the damage. The mother, identified only as Leung, described watching the fire spread uncontrollably from one tower to the next. She said she felt powerless as flames consumed the buildings within a short period of time. Her daughter, Bonnie, echoed the need for transparency, saying the family hopes investigators uncover the full truth, including whether corruption or negligence played a role.

As Hong Kong mourns the victims, officials face mounting pressure to strengthen oversight of construction materials and ensure contractors follow safety regulations. The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement, better monitoring and improved fire safety measures in high rise housing estates across the city.