Overview
- Officials said polystyrene boards covering windows were flammable and accelerated the blaze, while tests indicated the scaffolding nets did not aid combustion.
- Police arrested two company directors and a consultant on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, and the anti-corruption agency detained eight others tied to consultancy and scaffolding work.
- The government ordered citywide inspections of façade works and seven‑day reports on material fire performance, and by Friday had checked 127 buildings and sent net samples for testing.
- Residents had warned the Labour Department about netting and foam panels since September 2024, but the agency initially dismissed some concerns before later citing contractor documents to say materials met requirements.
- The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 128 people and damaged seven towers, with officials reporting intense heat that ignited bamboo scaffolding and blocked escape routes.