Hong Kong: A prominent fire safety specialist has warned that Hong Kong’s traditional bamboo scaffolding likely played a major role in accelerating the catastrophic fire that swept through multiple apartment blocks on Wednesday night.
Professor Jiang Liming of Hong Kong Polytechnic University said the interconnected bamboo structures surrounding the residential towers created an easy pathway for the flames to spread with alarming speed. “The fire was able to penetrate rapidly, resulting in a large number of casualties,” he explained, noting that the scale of the blaze was amplified by the extensive scaffolding that wrapped around the buildings.
Bamboo scaffolding remains one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable construction features, used extensively across both new developments and renovation projects. However, its highly combustible nature and vulnerability to weather-induced deterioration have long raised safety concerns. Earlier this year, government officials announced plans to gradually replace bamboo with fire-resistant steel scaffolding on public projects, a move aimed at bringing local construction practices in line with international standards.
Professor Jiang added that the age of the affected buildings in Wang Fuk Court also contributed to their vulnerability. Built in the 1980s, the blocks relied on older single-pane glass windows rather than the more robust double-pane systems common in modern high-rises. “Single-pane windows can easily shatter when exposed to extreme heat,” he said. “Once broken, flames can breach the façade and penetrate deep inside the units.”
He emphasized that the combined factors aging infrastructure, outdated materials, and the presence of large bamboo frames created conditions that allowed the fire to surge through the complex with devastating force.