Hong Kong's Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire: 128 Dead as Investigation Focuses on Bamboo Scaffolding and Possible Cigarette Cause

At least 128 people perished Wednesday in one of Hong Kong's most devastating fires in recent decades.

The deadly blaze swept through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a residential development located in Hong Kong's mountainous New Territories area, resulting in one of the region's worst fire disasters in modern history.

The incident gained additional controversy after viral social media footage suggested the fire might have originated from a cigarette. The video, circulated by RT India, claimed: "Shocking Footage Shows Workers Smoking Near Outer Wall Just Moments Before Blaze Engulfed Wang Fu Court In Hong Kong."

Officials have not yet verified this claim, as investigations into the fire's exact cause remain ongoing.

The catastrophe has reignited debates surrounding Hong Kong's traditional bamboo scaffolding practices. Many are questioning whether these structures accelerated the fire's spread. Despite being a cultural remnant of centuries-old Asian construction techniques still common across Hong Kong, bamboo scaffolding faces increasing safety scrutiny.

The eight residential towers of Wang Fuk Court were encased in bamboo scaffolding and green protective mesh as part of renovation efforts that commenced last year. When the fire erupted Wednesday afternoon, the dry bamboo structures and netting created a pathway that allowed flames to rapidly ascend the buildings.

Hong Kong government officials confirmed Friday that falling bamboo fragments contributed significantly to the fire's propagation. A day earlier, authorities emphasized the "imperative to expedite" transitioning to metal scaffolding citywide for enhanced safety measures.

Initial findings indicate the fire originated in protective netting on the lower floors of one building before quickly spreading upward, fueled by "highly flammable" foam insulation materials, according to security chief Chris Tang.

By Friday, authorities had detained eight individuals—seven men and one woman between ages 40 and 63—connected to the renovation project. The Independent Commission Against Corruption stated that those arrested include scaffolding subcontractors, engineering consultancy directors, and project management personnel overseeing the renovation work.

(With input from agencies)