[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

Update: A fire that raced through several high-rise buildings in a Hong Kong apartment complex has killed at least 55 people now.

The death toll in Hong Kong high-rise fire grows to 83 including residents, a firefighter (Ho Wai-ho, 37), and two Indonesian domestic workers. Around 279 still missing.

[TheFairOne]

Oof. This is wild. The arsonist and the design & construction company are so screwed.

[x68000]

Originally Posted by TheFairOne ↗

Oof. This is wild. The arsonist and the design & construction company are so screwed.

I totally agree.

They’re completely Wang Fuq’d.

[x68000]

The death toll from the blaze that ripped through several high-rise apartment blocks in Wang Fuk Court has jumped to 128.

16 bodies are known to still be in the buildings. 89 bodies are yet to be identified.

At least 79 people are injured, and nearly 300 people are unaccounted for. Hundreds have been evacuated to temporary shelters.

Officials say the fire started from the lower level and then moved up to the higher levels. They add that the cause has yet to be determined, but investigations are ongoing.

At it’s peak the temperature of the fire reached 500C (932F), they add, saying that because of this the blaze reignited in some places after being doused.

Authorities say police will start entering the Wang Fuk Court buildings today to begin gathering evidence, and that an investigation will be carried out over the next three to four weeks.
There are dozens of people still missing, they say.

Authorities say 391 fire engines were mobilised and 188 ambulances were dispatched.

More than 2,311 firefighters took part in the operation, with 12 sustaining injuries during the response, they add.
Helicopters were not used, authorities say, adding that they believe aerial water drops are ineffective in extinguishing fires inside buildings.

Drones were also not used, they add, saying they are still exploring how to use them in these kind of operations.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by x68000 ↗

The death toll from the blaze that ripped through several high-rise apartment blocks in Wang Fuk Court has jumped to 128.

16 bodies are known to still be in the buildings. 89 bodies are yet to be identified.

At least 79 people are injured, and nearly 300 people are unaccounted for.

79 people hospitalized, including 11 firefighters. 15 people are in critical condition and 28 in serious condition.

[yah]

I was surprised when I went to China several years ago that bamboo scaffolding & that green netting were everywhere. It was a weird contrast between "modern" high rise buildings that were covered by something that looked like it had been built in the jungle.

[TheFairOne]

Originally Posted by yah ↗

I was surprised when I went to China several years ago that bamboo scaffolding & that green netting were everywhere. It was a weird contrast between "modern" high rise buildings that were covered by something that looked like it had been built in the jungle.

It also just makes no logical sense. The risk of fire with bamboo is astronomical. I understand there is a "look" they are aiming for, but why not create that look out of other material instead of risking your business and reputation?! Plus, advising potential clients against using actual bamboo due to fire hazard and offering different options can gain you credibility in the field and also up your potential profit. I don't get it

[DarkSighted]

That one at night is kinda beautiful. :)

[kellyhound]

The death toll has jumped to 151, incl. one firefighter. Approximately 30–40 individuals are missing, though some may never be located as remains have been reduced to ash due to temperatures exceeding 500°C (930°F).

Authorities have arrested 13–14 people on suspicion of manslaughter, including company directors, consultants, and contractors from firms like Prestige Construction and Engineering Company.

Preliminary findings point to substandard, non-fire-retardant mesh netting used to encase bamboo scaffolding for renovations. Of 20 samples tested, seven failed safety standards; compliant netting was used only on lower floors to evade inspections. This cheaper material (HK$54 per roll vs. HK$100 for compliant versions) accelerated the fire's spread.

Families of the deceased will receive HK$200,000 (US$25,700) in compensation.

Today marks the seventh day since the first deaths, a significant date in Chinese tradition for honoring the deceased. Residents have laid flowers, cards, and tributes at a makeshift memorial near the site.

[Banshee]

Originally Posted by TheFairOne ↗

It also just makes no logical sense. The risk of fire with bamboo is astronomical. I understand there is a "look" they are aiming for, but why not create that look out of other material instead of risking your business and reputation?! Plus, advising potential clients against using actual bamboo due to fire hazard and offering different options can gain you credibility in the field and also up your potential profit. I don't get it

A whole piece of bamboo does not burn easily. The covering sheet they use is simply not fireproof. People have cooked with whole bamboo for a long time and it does not catch fire. There are hundreds of videos of people trying to make a whole piece burn, and it still does not catch fire even when you put a flame straight on it.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mPIqG_Bjni0

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Uc_rzdVLQyQ

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zcH1Z1gY14s