Several Dead as Fire Engulfs Hong Kong Tai Po High-Rise Towers Fueled by Bamboo Scaffolding

A major blaze swept through several high-rise towers in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least four people dead and several others injured. The Wang Fuk Court estate, currently undergoing renovation, was shrouded in thick smoke as flames raged along building exteriors wrapped in bamboo scaffolding.

The fire department said the blaze began at 14:51 local time (06:50 GMT) and the emergency response quickly progressed to the most serious alarm level, peaking at level five by 18:22. By nightfall, flames were visible across at least three blocks.

The cause remains under investigation, but officials indicated the blaze appeared to spread rapidly through the exterior bamboo scaffolding. Wang Fuk Court comprises eight tower blocks with about 2,000 apartments housing around 4,000 residents.

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department confirmed that one of the fatalities was a firefighter. Nine people were transported to two hospitals for treatment, with several in critical condition.

Bamboo scaffolding is widely used in construction and renovation in Asia because it is lightweight and robust. However, in March, the government’s development bureau signaled plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding due to safety concerns.

Residents and local officials said the fire raised urgent questions about building safety and evacuation in dense urban housing, especially during renovations.

Key Takeaways

• The fire spread rapidly through exterior bamboo scaffolding on the Wang Fuk Court towers.
• Four people were killed, including a firefighter; nine people were hospitalized, several in critical condition.
• Wang Fuk Court is an eight-tower estate with about 2,000 flats; renovations use bamboo scaffolding.
• Authorities upgraded the alarm to level five, the highest, reflecting the blaze’s severity.
• The government has signaled plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding amid safety concerns.

Expert comment: A fire-safety analyst said bamboo scaffolding, while economical and flexible, can accelerate fire spread and complicate evacuations in tall residential blocks. He added that stricter exterior safety measures are essential in dense cities like Hong Kong.

Summary: The Tai Po incident underlines the vulnerabilities of crowded high-rise housing during renovations. Emergency crews continue to battle the flames while authorities review exterior safety standards and construction practices. The case adds to the ongoing debate over bamboo scaffolding in the region’s construction sector.

Key takeaway: Exterior bamboo scaffolding can dramatically influence fire spread in high-rise renovations, underscoring the need for stronger safety rules in crowded cities. BBC News