China is still a Third World country in some respects. Chinese authorities have arrested five people involved in the renovation of Hung Fu Yuan on suspicion of negligent homicide. Inspections of the renovation site had flagged potential hazards even before the disaster. The use of bamboo scaffolding is still common in building construction in China, which is the primary cause of this disaster. Fire alarms in all eight blocks in the northerly suburb of Tai Po were also found to be
not working effectively.
The blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon in Tai Po's public housing estate during work on one of eight 31-story buildings. It spread quickly to six others, worsened by flammable netting, styrofoam panels, faulty alarms, and foam-sealed windows that blocked escapes—issues residents had flagged for over a year.
Authorities arrested 11 people on corruption and manslaughter charges, while aid flows in from celebrities like aespa and Tim Cook. As body recovery continues, Tai Po families hold onto hope amid grief, prompting vows for better oversight in aging housing.
Experts tell the BBC
bamboo scaffolding, along with other construction materials found at the buildings - which were undergoing renovation - might have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Officials are yet to determine the cause of the blaze that ripped through a high-rise residential complex on Wednesday.
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