Name: Hong Kong highrise netting did not meet code, officials say
Uploaded: 2025-12-01T22:23:25.885Z
Duration: 4 min 24 s
Description: Hong Kong officials said Monday that their investigation into a deadly blaze that killed at least 151 people has revealed some of the netting that covered scaffolding used in renovations was not up to fire-safety codes.

Hong Kong officials said Monday that their investigation into a deadly blaze that killed at least 151 people has revealed some of the netting that covered scaffolding used in renovations was not up to fire-safety codes.

Kowloon

Hong Kong authorities have confirmed that the netting used during renovations on a Kowloon highrise did not meet fire safety standards, contributing to a fire that has killed at least 151 people. Investigators found that nylon meshing and foam blocks used in the renovation accelerated the spread of the flames, while many fire detectors in the building were not functioning.

The investigation has resulted in at least 13 arrests, including construction and engineering personnel, and the suspension of 28 related projects for safety audits. The fire left approximately 4,600 people displaced, and recovery efforts continue as authorities search for missing residents. Families and the community are calling for a full inquiry into the tragedy.

Hong Kong highrise netting did not meet code, officials say

Authorities in Hong Kong say the number of people killed in an apartment fire last week has now risen to 151. This as an investigation is pointing to the building's renovation as a catalyst for the tragedy. We're showing you here images released today by the Hong Kong police force showing the interior of an apartment that was destroyed in the fire, giving you a sense of the damage caused by the flames inside with walls blackened floor to ceiling and a lifetime of memories reduced to ash. Marianne Demaine joining me now. She's been following the story all morning for us. Those images, Marianne, are just unbelievable, devastating, but really speak to the intensity of this fire. And now, of course, the investigation looking into everything in terms of overall what happened. But I guess now what needs to be done to keep these buildings or other apartment buildings safe? Yeah, that is the focus of the investigation. Why did these 731 story towers go up in flames so quickly, leaving all of that destruction and all of that death in its wake? So they're looking at the materials from the renovation that was underway at these buildings. And according to investigators, all signs point to the nylon meshing there, that green that's what's left of it anyway, that was surrounding the bamboo scaffolding outside of these buildings, they say, did not meet flame retardant standards. In other words, it was not up to the fire safety code. And that's why they say this flames spread so quickly and engulf these buildings so quickly. On top of that, the renovation was using these foam blocks that they say was blocking the windows. These also led to the fire spreading very quickly outside of this building, led to the glass exploding in the windows, and that helped spread the fire inside the buildings, leading to the images you saw just a few moments ago, those burnt out units. Now, as a result of this investigation, they've also uncovered that the detectors inside of these buildings weren't working. Many of them anyway, may not have alerted these residents, many who were over the age of 65. So when you imagine the chaos and the panic that was happening inside these buildings as the flames were just spreading from building to building, it is quite a horrific scene. Now, looking at this investigation, it is also turned criminal. We know that at least 13 people have now been arrested. These are people in connection to the construction company, Prestige Construction and Engineering Company. We're looking at people who were scaffolding subcontractors, even engineers, project managers. They've all been arrested in connection with suspected manslaughter. That's one part of the investigation. They've also suspended 28 projects on area businesses there in Hong Kong connected to this same construction and engineering company. They're trying to do safety audits to, of course, prevent something like this from happening. But looking at these images, Angie, you can see the big job they have ahead of them. These are buildings that have been around since the 1980s. There are thousands of units here. So a huge impact and a huge job ahead. And it'll be interesting to see as they've expanded that investigation, will it needs to be expanded further to the overall construction industry in terms of how things, how that is all, how that all entails. A very complex recovery effort is underway for the victims, 151 bodies, things, that number could potentially rise as they try to find more people that were trapped inside those buildings. Because despite all of the damage you see on the outside and the inside, the building itself is still very structurally sound. So they are going unit by unit and they are uncovering more bodies, not only inside those units, but also in the stairwells, the hallways and even the roof. But because these buildings were burning for days until the fire was completely put out, the fear is that not only will the death toll go up, but that they may not even be able to find or identify some of the victims because of just how burned the inside of those units are. There are missing people, dozens of them, either way, all in the minds and hearts of those who are mourning this tragedy there in Hong Kong. We saw the lineups that spanned several kilometres long with people lining up to pay their respects. In addition, though, to those who died in this fire and those who are still missing, there are those who are still displaced, 4,600 people or so now without homes and all of them now trying to find temporary shelter while that investigation continues. Indeed, and also push from the family members for a full inquiry into what has happened here. And as you mentioned, there are hundreds of them gathering to pay their respects, a devastating situation. Appreciate all the updates you've been giving us all morning, Marianne. Thank you for this.

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