The identification of rigid polystyrene foam in the windows of several floors, a material considered by the expert group to be extremely dangerous in the event of a fire, has influenced the development of investigations into the fire that destroyed the One Fook Court residential complex in Hong Kong. According to the South China Morning Post, this material, which appeared after recent works to improve the facade, would have facilitated the progress of the fire towards the upper levels, complicating rescue efforts and significantly increasing the number of casualties. Hong Kong authorities confirmed that the accident has so far killed at least 83 people, while about 80 people were injured, including eleven members of the fire department who participated in the rescue efforts.
The fire broke out on Wednesday in Tai Po, a residential area in Hong Kong, and managed to spread quickly through several levels of the building before the fire was largely brought under control. The South China Morning Post reported that floodlights remained on some of the upper floors, a scenario that still poses risks for emergency teams due to the presence of active areas and the difficulty of reaching all the places where people could be found trapped or surviving among the rubble. Emergency missions combine victim search with structural assessment of property to prevent collapses and ensure personnel safety.
Among the first hypotheses, the researchers evaluated the role played by materials used in the work, such as bamboo in the exterior scaffolding and polystyrene foam, both of which were mentioned as potential accelerants of fire spread. The use of traditional bamboo scaffolding in the region for working at heights adds a risk factor, and is being examined by specialists to determine its impact on the growth of the fire. According to the South China Morning Post, the combined use of these combustible materials raises questions about the safety of residential building renovation and reveals the need to update local regulations.
The authorities’ response included measures such as flying flags at half-mast in public buildings and suspending official events as a sign of mourning, according to the South China Morning Post. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has instructed relevant agencies to conduct inspections of all public buildings undergoing renovation and requested a detailed analysis of the causes and management of the emergency. The main goal is to clarify potential responsibilities and strengthen security controls to avoid the recurrence of similar events.
In response to the first findings, local police arrested three people linked to the real estate company responsible for the works at the Wan Phuc Court Complex. According to the South China Morning Post, those arrested include two managers and a construction worker, all of whom are accused of alleged negligence after violations were discovered in the supervision and handling of materials during recent renovations to the building. The open forensic investigation seeks to determine the extent of the omissions and their impact on the speed and extent of the fire.
The South China Morning Post also indicated that specialists responsible for analyzing the causes of the accident are focusing their efforts on collecting samples in the affected area and reviewing current protocols. This work aims to precisely determine how the use of flammable materials contributes to the spread of fire and to identify necessary amendments to the laws and regulations governing construction and reconstruction work in Hong Kong. The focus is on the possible revision of permitted materials and inspection procedures, especially with regard to the use of polystyrene and bamboo structures in buildings intended for residential use.
Health and emergency services increased the number of staff assigned to care for those affected, mobilized additional resources and integrated medical assistance into various hospitals in the region. The South China Morning Post newspaper explained that some of the injured are still in critical condition and are under constant monitoring, while rescue teams continue their work in the still dangerous areas of the building. This situation makes the authorities on alert regarding the possibility of the final number of victims rising in the coming hours.
The rescue operations were accompanied by a continuous assessment of the structural stability of the building, with the aim of avoiding new accidents and preserving the safety of workers involved in removing the rubble and searching for potential survivors. Consideration has been given to organizing emergency tasks into specific protocols to reduce the risk of secondary accidents, taking into account recent experience in the use of combustible materials.
The event at Wan Phuc Court sparked a public debate on the adequacy of current regulations on the selection and use of materials for renovations. According to the South China Morning Post, the discussion includes both experts and residents, who support reforms that increase controls and reduce reliance on inflatable components in residential works. Local authorities are keeping the applicable regulations under review and are considering introducing additional requirements on inspections, in order to prevent similar emergencies.
The process of identifying victims and providing assistance to affected family members continues in coordination with social and police services. Communication lines and help points have been set up for relatives of the deceased and missing, the South China Morning Post reported. Meanwhile, efforts to recover bodies and hazardous materials inside the building are ongoing, and the area remains cordoned off due to instability caused by structural damage.
The authorities insist on the need to draw lessons from this tragedy. As part of the immediate actions, emergency protocols will be reviewed and recommendations will be prepared to improve the institutional response to fires in high-rise buildings. The South China Morning Post concluded that the affected residents and society in general are closely monitoring the course of investigations and the implementation of potential security and building repairs.