Flammable facade wraps pose serious fire risks

The tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, is a sobering reminder of how rapidly facade fires can escalate.

- Solomon Tan Kia Tang

While investigations are ongoing, initial reports suggest that the bamboo scaffolding and open-mesh netting wrapped around the buildings contributed significantly to the swift vertical spread of the flames.

The reported use of foam for window insulation would also have intensified the fire, causing the flames to spread rapidly inside and produce large amounts of thick, poisonous smoke.