Hong Kong contractors used unsafe netting at fire site, officials say

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 -Investigators have revealed that contractors covering the scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong used protective netting that failed to meet fire-safety standards. According to officials, of 20 netting samples collected from the site, seven did not pass fire-resistance tests.

Evidence suggests the netting was deliberately substituted: compliant netting was installed at the base of the scaffolding — where inspectors typically sample — while cheaper, non-compliant material was used on higher floors. This deception appears to have been an attempt to evade detection during inspections.

The substandard netting, combined with flammable foam boards used on windows during renovations, likely accelerated the fire’s spread through the high-rise towers. What began as a fire on exterior scaffolding quickly engulfed multiple buildings, contributing to Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades.