Deadly Hong Kong Highrise Fire Exposes Dangers of Traditional Bamboo Scaffolding Practices

Nov 27, 2025 03:30 pm CST

Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has claimed 55 lives and cast a spotlight on the territory's continued reliance on flammable bamboo scaffolding and mesh for construction work. Despite mainland China's transition to metal alternatives, Hong Kong maintains this centuries-old tradition despite recurring safety incidents and mounting evidence of fire hazards in residential complexes.