Hong Kong is in a frantic race against time, ordering the immediate removal of all protective mesh netting from buildings undergoing renovation across the city. This drastic measure comes in the wake of a devastating fire last week that claimed the lives of at least 159 people, with the material widely blamed for exacerbating the inferno.
Unprecedented Blaze Prompts City-Wide Action
On Wednesday, the government issued a directive for all public and private residential buildings to dismantle their scaffolding nets by Saturday, citing an urgent need to "protect public safety and put residents and businesses' minds at ease." This swift action follows the city's deadliest fire in decades, which engulfed seven high-rise apartment blocks within the Wang Fuk Court complex on November 26, 2025. Investigations have strongly suggested that the mesh netting, coupled with substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used in renovations, acted as fuel, transforming a localized fire into a raging 40-hour inferno. Compounding the tragedy, fire alarms at the doomed estate were reportedly not operating properly.
Investigation and Arrests Underway
The inferno's toll is grim: 159 bodies have been recovered, with 140 identified, ranging in age from one to 97. Among the 31 still missing are foreign domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines. In response, authorities have launched a comprehensive probe, leading to the arrest of 21 individuals. Fifteen of these are associated with various construction companies, suspected of manslaughter, including two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the primary contractor at Wang Fuk Court. A further six individuals from the fire service installation contractor face suspicion of fraud.
The investigation has also uncovered troubling details, including allegations that residents of Wang Fuk Court, home to 4,600 people, had previously complained about fire hazards from renovations. Despite these concerns, they were informed last year by the Labour Department that they faced "relatively low fire risks."
Renovations Halted, New Safety Standards Imposed
The city-wide removal order means renovation work across Hong Kong will effectively cease for an indefinite period. Inspectors must first verify that all netting complies with rigorous new safety standards before work can resume. Development Secretary Bernadette Linn confirmed that over 200 private buildings and more than a dozen public housing and government buildings are affected, with contractors mandated to bear the removal costs.
Adding to the regulatory overhaul, Hong Kong's building department is poised to introduce a new code of practice next week. This code will necessitate on-site sampling of all scaffold net materials, with installation permitted only after certification by designated laboratories confirming compliance. Authorities are also scrutinizing suspected false safety documents linked to netting from a Shandong, China-based manufacturer, reportedly used at two renovation sites, one of which involved Prestige Construction.
City leader John Lee has also established a judge-led committee to thoroughly investigate the fire and review the oversight of building renovations, underscoring the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in the wake of this profound tragedy. Meanwhile, over 2,900 displaced residents have been provided temporary accommodation in hostels, camps, hotel rooms, and transitional housing units.