Fire that sparked the crackdown
On 26 November 2025, a massive fire ravaged Wang Fuk Court — a public‑housing estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. Covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh as part of ongoing renovations, seven of its eight towers were engulfed, resulting in the city’s deadliest residential fire in decades. By early December, the confirmed death toll had reached 159.
Investigations quickly pointed to multiple safety failures: fire alarms reportedly failed to sound, insulation foam and construction‑grade netting did not meet fire‑resistance standards, and the external bamboo scaffolding allowed flames to rocket up the buildings’ façades.
In the blaze’s wake, public outrage surged — with victims’ families demanding accountability, other residents demanding safer housing, and authorities racing to prevent a repeat disaster.
The sweeping order: scaffold netting must go
In response, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) issued a swift and sweeping directive on 3 December 2025: all buildings currently undergoing major maintenance or renovation — public or private — must remove their external scaffolding mesh by Saturday (within three days).
According to the directive from Bernadette Linn, the city’s Secretary for Development, the order affects over 200 private renovation projects and at least 10 public‑housing or government buildings. Contractors are required to bear the costs of removal.
Authorities said the measure aims to “protect public safety” and restore confidence among residents and businesses — but also reflects growing alarm over suspected fraudulent safety certifications for scaffolding netting supplied by a manufacturing firm.
What authorities found — why the mesh was blamed
- Substandard, flammable netting — In the investigation of the Wang Fuk Court fire, officials tested samples from the protective nets and found 7 out of 20 failed to meet flame‑resistance standards. Some netting packages carried forged safety certificates from a supplier in Shandong, China — certifications that proved to be invalid.
- Rapid vertical fire spread — Experts say the combination of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh created a vertical “ladder” for flames. Once ignited, fire raced up the buildings’ exteriors, bypassing internal compartmentalization and rendering escape or rescue extremely difficult.
- Failed fire‑safety systems — Reports indicate that in several blocks, fire alarms failed to activate. Some contractors allegedly deactivated alarms during maintenance and later submitted false declarations.
The blaze exposed not just a tragic accident — but systemic weaknesses in safety oversight, certification processes, and enforcement of building‑code compliance.
Removal underway — but chaos and disruption follow
By Thursday morning (4 Dec), work crews already began dismantling scaffold netting across the city, including in central districts such as Cheung Sha Wan.
Construction industry sources told press that while there is enough manpower to meet the urgent deadline, the move has effectively halted hundreds of renovation projects, with thousands of workers idle until new safety standards are enforced.
In addition, authorities announced that removed mesh — and scaffolding material more broadly — must undergo fire‑safety testing before any reinstallation is permitted. Revised guidelines and stricter certification requirements are expected to be released within the coming week.
Government’s broader response — investigations, suspensions, and reform vows
The collapse of trust in scaffolding safety prompted a sweeping response:
- The city’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and police launched a criminal investigation into suspected fraud, falsified safety certifications, and possible negligence. Already, 21 individuals have been arrested, including contractors, project managers, and fire‑services subcontractors.
- A judge‑led independent panel will review building‑maintenance practices, regulatory oversight, and construction safety protocols — with potential long‑term reforms in how Hong Kong manages skyscraper repairs and fire safety.
- Authorities signalled they are reconsidering the long‑standing tradition of bamboo scaffolding in favor of more fire‑resistant metal scaffolding — although some construction professionals warn this may raise costs and extend project timelines.
Public reaction — grief, anger, demand for accountability
In the days since the blaze, Hong Kong residents have flooded makeshift memorials with flowers, condolence cards, paper cranes and handwritten messages — mourning the youngest victim (a baby) and the oldest (97 years old), even as outrage grows over perceived negligence.
Residents of other estates, some in mid‑renovation, report fear and uncertainty: many said they had previously raised concerns about flammable netting or noisy scaffolding — only to be ignored. Some have formed residents’ associations to demand stronger oversight and long‑term building reform.
Meanwhile, labour unions and construction‑worker groups express concern for workers’ livelihoods, calling for fair compensation for the lost years of work and better safety training if new materials and standards are to be imposed.
What this means for Hong Kong — a turning point on building safety
The rapid order to remove scaffold mesh — affecting hundreds of buildings — is perhaps the most significant regulatory intervention in Hong Kong’s construction sector in decades. It signals a shift from periodic inspections to a near‑blanket safety reset.
If the removal and ensuing reforms are implemented effectively, the tragedy at Wang Fuk Court could mark the beginning of systemic change — safer scaffolding, stricter oversight on building materials, and stronger enforcement against substandard or fraudulent certifications.
But there are serious challenges ahead: economic costs, housing delays, contractor pushback, and the legacy of mistrust among residents. Whether Hong Kong can rebuild not just structures, but confidence — in safety, regulation, and governance — may define its post‑fire recovery.
