Hong Kong’s deadliest fire of the century has put the centuries-old construction technique, bamboo scaffolding, under scrutiny.
The ancient bamboo structure, which dates back to the Han Dynasty about 2,000 years ago, is still widely used in Hong Kong for construction and renovation due to its low cost, flexibility and sustainability.
In this technique, bamboo poles are tied together to create a framework for workers to access different heights for construction, renovation or cultural event projects.
This structure has been used to construct some of the tallest buildings and skyscrapers in the city, including Norman Foster’s HSBC headquarters.
However, the exact cause of the fire, which left 55 dead, is not yet known. However, the authorities have taken three renovation workers into custody for gross negligence.
Early reports suggest that a fire started in one of the bamboo scaffolding surrounding the towers in the Tai Po district.
Since bamboo is highly flammable once ignited, the fire spread super fast and engulfed several buildings.
Such an incident has been very rare in the city amid the major construction work being done.
However, the government has decided to run an inspection check on all the bamboo scaffolding in the city as a precautionary measure.
Hong Kong’s Ministry of Labor revealed that 24 deaths were reported in connection with these scaffoldings between January 2018 and August 2025.
Earlier this year, the city administration decided that 50 percent of new public buildings would be built using metal scaffolding to better protect workers.
