The Hospital Authority stated that all four victims were receiving continuous monitoring and treatment at nearby hospitals, while additional medical staff were deployed to assist emergency operations during the incident.
Buildings Department: “No Structural Hazard Detectedâ€
In a statement released Sunday, the Buildings Department said its inspection team had noted no structural hazards at Chinachem Tower after a thorough site assessment.
The department also confirmed that all protective nets, tarpaulins, and scaffolding coverings used during ongoing renovation work were up to official safety standards. Minor works on the exterior walls and air-conditioning brackets had previously been approved under Hong Kong’s building codes.
Nevertheless, officials said a follow-up investigation is underway to determine if any regulations were breached, particularly regarding fire safety compliance during construction or renovation activities.
Expert Opinion: Sparks, Cigarettes, or Construction Work?
Former Fire Services Department assistant divisional officer Leung Kam-tak, now working as a private fire consultant, shared insights with NowTV on Sunday.
“I assume the fire started from a low height,†Leung said, suggesting several possible causes. “We need to investigate whether welding was taking place during the renovation work, as sparks could easily ignite nearby materials.â€
He added that an alternative cause could have been a discarded cigarette butt thrown into a roadside skip or waste container near the scaffolding. “If the canvas material used on the scaffolding contained plastic, it would ignite quickly and spread upward at an alarming rate,†he explained.
Fire safety experts have long warned that plastic-based tarpaulin—though cost-effective—poses a significant fire risk in Hong Kong’s humid and densely built urban environment.
Scaffolding Safety Under Scrutiny
This incident has reignited public discussion about the safety of scaffolding practices in Hong Kong, particularly in high-density commercial districts. Bamboo scaffolding, though a long-standing tradition in the city’s construction culture, has increasingly come under review due to its flammability and susceptibility to rapid fire spread.
In recent years, Hong Kong authorities have urged contractors to adopt flame-retardant materials and strengthen site supervision during construction work. Yet, with the city’s skyline constantly evolving, ensuring compliance across hundreds of active renovation projects remains a challenge.
