Hong Kong’s deadliest fire of the century has put the centuries-old construction technique of bamboo scaffolding to the test.
The ancient bamboo structure dating back to the Han Dynasty around 2,000 years ago is still widely used in Hong Kong for construction and renovation due to its low cost, flexibility and durability.
In this technique, bamboo poles are tied together to create a framework for workers to access different heights for construction projects, renovations or cultural events.
This structure was used to build some of the city’s tallest buildings and skyscrapers, including Norman Foster’s HSBC headquarters.
However, the exact cause of the fire which killed 55 people is not yet known. However, authorities arrested three renovation workers for gross negligence.
Initial reports suggest a fire broke out in one of the bamboo scaffoldings around the towers in Tai Po district.
Bamboo being highly flammable, once ignited, the fire spread very quickly, engulfing several buildings.
Such an incident is very rare in the city amid ongoing large-scale construction work.
However, the government has decided to carry out an inspection of all bamboo scaffolding in the city as a precautionary measure.
Hong Kong’s Ministry of Labor revealed that 24 scaffold-related deaths were reported between January 2018 and August 2025.
Earlier this year, the city administration decided that 50 percent of new public buildings would be constructed with metal scaffolding for better protection of workers.
