Hong Kong’s deadly high-rise fire raises serious questions around building safety

THE SCENES of the horrific fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong this week have been difficult to watch. 

They evoke painful memories of London's deadly Grenfell Tower disaster and are a devastating reminder of the importance of building safety, the trust we place in those responsible for our buildings every time we enter them, and what can happen when that responsibility is not met. 

Perhaps most of all, they highlight that we are still to learn the lessons of past disasters, despite detailed investigations and their findings being made public.

Above: The scene at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court the day after the fire. Image: Alamy licensed to The B1M.

The fire broke out on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidised housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, and spread across seven of the development's eight residential towers. 

At the time of publication, it is reported that 128 people have been killed and a further 70 injured. Dozens more are still missing. It has taken more than 2,300 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

Above: The blaze spread to seven of the residential complex's eight blocks and took more than 2,300 firefighters to bring under control. Image: Alamy licensed to The B1M. Below: Wang Fuk Court's position in a northern suburb of Hong Kong. Image: Google Maps.

The apartment blocks were undergoing renovation work at the time. While investigations are ongoing, it appears that the bamboo scaffolding and flammable debris netting covering the buildings may have contributed to the fire's rapid spread. Hong Kong officials stated on Friday that they believed expanded polystyrene foam placed on the outside of the windows was also a significant factor.

Three people overseeing the renovations have been arrested for manslaughter, and authorities have launched a corruption inquiry.

In a further painful echo of London's Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, it is emerging that many residents of Wang Fuk Court had been raising concerns about fire safety in their buildings for some time before this week's disaster. Hong Kong's fire service has also found that fire alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively.

Above: The fire at Wang Fuk Court appears to share painful similarities with London's 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster. Image: Alamy licensed to The B1M.

My thoughts, and those of all of us on The B1M team, are with everyone affected by this tragedy. We will work to ensure the lessons are shared through our platform to prevent something like this from ever happening again.