After lethal Hong Kong fireplace, the artwork of bamboo scaffolding hangs within the stability

[ad_1] When Daisy Pak determined she needed to grow to be a bamboo scaffolder, she needed to overcome a worry of heights.

The 32-year-old did so, little by little, and developed a ardour for working with a fabric that has been utilized in development in Hong Kong for greater than a century. Pak's speciality is developing bamboo lattices excessive up on buildings to exchange home windows or air conditioners on the skin of buildings.

“I used to work in a nightclub," she mentioned. "Bamboo scaffolding means a lot to me. It’s actually modified my life.”

However this life-changing ardour was thrust into the highlight final yr following a deadly catastrophe.

On Nov. 26, 2025, the deadliest fireplace in a long time broke out when a Hong Kong condo advanced, which was below renovation, caught fireplace. The Wang Fuk Court docket fireplace engulfed seven of the property’s eight blocks, which had been lined in bamboo scaffolding and security netting. It took firefighters greater than 40 hours to place the flames out.

A minimum of 168 folks had been killed, together with one firefighter. Practically 5,000 residents have been displaced.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A woman in a cap stands in a front of a building with green netting on one side." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/127c0078-9168-478e-aedf-aec0b126262b,1772570031139/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1376%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/127c0078-9168-478e-aedf-aec0b126262b,1772570031139/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1376%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/127c0078-9168-478e-aedf-aec0b126262b,1772570031139/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1376%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/127c0078-9168-478e-aedf-aec0b126262b,1772570031139/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1376%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.4534883720930232" data-cy="image-img"/> Daisy Pak is a bamboo scaffolder in Hong Kong. (Laura Westbrook/CBC) Bamboo scaffolding got here below scrutiny. The inexperienced netting, which lined the skin of the scaffolding, caught fireplace and a few of the bamboo lattices additionally burned and fell.

Native residents shortly defended the apply on-line and the federal government subsequently pointed to flammable styrofoam, which had been used to seal home windows, and substandard netting across the scaffolding as contributing to the hearth's speedy unfold.

An investigation into the reason for the hearth continues to be ongoing. Greater than a dozen folks have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption in relation to the property's renovation.

Conventional method The bamboo scaffolding method utilized in Hong Kong originated in mainland China, with roots in historic structure.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A man on a phone looks out at a building with bamboo scaffolding." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/f283112a-beb8-41ce-8c07-7090aa196227,1772032139053/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/f283112a-beb8-41ce-8c07-7090aa196227,1772032139053/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/f283112a-beb8-41ce-8c07-7090aa196227,1772032139053/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/f283112a-beb8-41ce-8c07-7090aa196227,1772032139053/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5003750937734435" data-cy="image-img"/> A person talks on his cellphone in entrance of a constructing below renovation lined with bamboo scaffolding and netting tied up in preparation for Tremendous Hurricane Ragasa in Hong Kong on Sept. 23, 2025. (Dale de la Rey/AFP by way of Getty Pictures) Low cost, considerable and sustainable, bamboo — certain along with nylon cords — is often seen masking buildings in Hong Kong. Throughout the border in mainland China, builders largely use metallic options, after regulators within the Nineties mandated that bamboo get replaced with metal and aluminum.

Bamboo scaffolding can be utilized in open-air bamboo theatres for non secular rituals and conventional Cantonese opera performances.

Secretary for Growth Bernadette Linn mentioned final November that whereas bamboo scaffolding has a protracted historical past in Hong Kong, the “authorities considers it essential to develop a roadmap to change to metallic scaffolds as quickly as potential below appropriate worksite circumstances.”

Final March, the Hong Kong Growth Bureau introduced that half of recent public constructing tasks would want to make use of metallic scaffolding to align with development requirements in mainland China and “superior economies.” It cited security causes.

In response to the Labour Division, there have been 20 industrial fatalities involving bamboo scaffolds on development websites between 2019 and 2025. Final yr, 11 employees had been injured when bamboo scaffolding collapsed at a piece website. Simply final week, a employee died after falling whereas erecting bamboo scaffolding.

The Growth Bureau mentioned that bamboo scaffolding had “intrinsic weaknesses,” resembling "variation in mechanical properties, deterioration over time and excessive combustibility."

<img loading="lazy" alt="A construction site with bamboo scaffolding." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/d084d3f0-e1d7-4795-8a0a-14ecd8281c48,1772032243454/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/d084d3f0-e1d7-4795-8a0a-14ecd8281c48,1772032243454/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/d084d3f0-e1d7-4795-8a0a-14ecd8281c48,1772032243454/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/d084d3f0-e1d7-4795-8a0a-14ecd8281c48,1772032243454/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1333%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5003750937734435" data-cy="image-img"/> A development employee removes the netting of bamboo scaffolding at Sui Wo Court docket housing property, which is below renovation, in Fo Tan district of Hong Kong on Dec. 4, 2025. The loss of life toll from Hong Kong's worst fireplace in a long time rose to 168 in any case affected housing blocks had been searched, police mentioned. (Philip Fong/AFP by way of Getty Pictures) Robert Crawford, a professor in development and environmental evaluation on the College of Melbourne, mentioned that the connections in metal scaffolding are most likely stronger than bamboo connections, and due to this fact higher for employee security.

Hong Kong phasing out bamboo scaffolds Daisy Pak feels it was unfair for folks accountable bamboo scaffolding for the Wang Fuk Court docket fireplace, because it has a slower combustion price. She mentioned bamboo can be lighter to hold than metallic and it is simple to chop to completely different lengths.

Ho Ping-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Employees Union, does not consider bamboo scaffolding was the supply or the first accelerator of the blaze at Wang Fuk Court docket final yr.

He pointed as an alternative to the usage of non‑compliant constructing supplies, home windows sealed with foam adhesive, non‑fireplace‑retardant scaffold nets, employees who smoked on website, simultaneous scaffolding throughout eight towers, malfunctioning alarm programs and inaction by regulatory authorities.

WATCH | Fireplace alarm by no means went off throughout Hong Kong condo fireplace, says resident: Fireplace alarm by no means went off throughout Hong Kong fireplace, says resident | Hanomansing Tonight

A minimum of 44 individuals are lifeless after a hearth ripped via a highrise condo advanced in Hong Kong, with one other 45 nonetheless in vital situation, police mentioned. Resident Adler Suen tells Hanomansing Tonight it was the smoke, not the hearth alarm, that tipped her off of the large fireplace. “The incident underscores the pressing want to handle deficiencies in danger administration, materials requirements, development high quality, regulatory accountability and the safeguarding of residents’ elementary proper to security,” he mentioned.

Hong Kong nonetheless has round 2,500 folks registered as bamboo scaffolding masters, in response to official figures. However the variety of metallic scaffolders is round triple that.

“Now we have assessed that the variety of bamboo scaffolds utilized in new development websites will lower dramatically within the subsequent one to 2 years,” Ho mentioned.

Pak mentioned even earlier than the hearth, the federal government had begun to section out bamboo scaffolding.

"In comparison with once I first began on this business in 2021, they use much less bamboo … and so they have fewer jobs now," she mentioned.

Bamboo 'much less space-hungry' than metallic Swiss architect Raffaella Endrizzi, who researches bamboo scaffolding and teaches on the Chinese language College of Hong Kong, mentioned the constructing density of Hong Kong was made potential by bamboo scaffolding.

“The shortage of land is actual, and bamboo simply is much less space-hungry than metallic,” she mentioned.

Ho mentioned the benefit of bamboo scaffolding in development websites in Hong Kong lies in its excessive flexibility, cost-effectiveness and adaptableness — and that it is quick to erect.

Simon Liu, president of the Hong Kong Development Affiliation, who has labored within the business for 40 years, acknowledges bamboo's benefits. However he helps a broader transfer to metallic.

“Metallic scaffolding makes use of a rigorous engineering design method. It is extra secure and sturdiness is excessive. After it's erected, it could actually final for one to 2 years and isn't that delicate to incremental climate results,” he mentioned.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A man in a suit and glasses stands under a crest." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/68af40f9-fecd-448f-8036-5f38b5b0f3c0,1772570083369/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1286%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/68af40f9-fecd-448f-8036-5f38b5b0f3c0,1772570083369/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1286%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/68af40f9-fecd-448f-8036-5f38b5b0f3c0,1772570083369/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1286%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/68af40f9-fecd-448f-8036-5f38b5b0f3c0,1772570083369/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2000%2C1286%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5552099533437014" data-cy="image-img"/> Simon Liu, president of the Hong Kong Development Affiliation, who has labored within the business for 40 years, acknowledges bamboo's benefits. However he helps a broader transfer to metallic. (Laura Westbrook/CBC) He believes the federal government will nonetheless enable bamboo scaffolding in some circumstances, resembling for outdated constructing upkeep.

For brand new constructing constructions, Liu is already seeing the transfer to metallic scaffolding and expects it to proceed over the subsequent few years.

Metallic longer-lasting, says prof Robert Crawford on the College of Melbourne mentioned that whereas the manufacture of metal is extra expensive up entrance and generates carbon emissions, metal lasts longer than bamboo.

“You have to take into account the longer-term implications. Is it really cheaper in the long term, since you don’t have to exchange it as usually? In the end, it may final a long time, actually, if it is sorted and handled properly,” he mentioned.

“Clearly, from a hearth perspective, metal goes to be higher than bamboo in that context, however I feel a variety of it is about avoiding or minimizing the possibility of fireplace within the first place.”

Kent A. Harries, professor of structural engineering on the College of Pittsburgh, mentioned up till the constructing growth within the Center East and Dubai, a few of the most spectacular constructions on the earth had been in-built Hong Kong utilizing bamboo scaffolding, pointing to the long-lasting Financial institution of China constructing.

He mentioned bamboo has been the “proper resolution” for Hong Kong and close by Macau for many years, and there was a group and business constructed round it.

“Erecting bamboo scaffolding may be very a lot an artisan factor. Because it tails out, that information base will disappear, and bamboo scaffolding will finally disappear, since you simply cannot keep the talent set wanted,” he mentioned.

Pak mentioned a few of her fellow employees have been contemplating altering careers.

“Bamboo scaffolding is a convention from outdated to now, so I feel there's nonetheless extra to find out about bamboo scaffolding strategies," she mentioned. "Metallic scaffolding lacks the soul of the bamboo scaffolding."

Whereas Pak now has a licence to work with metallic, she hopes bamboo can keep in Hong Kong.

“I'll maintain working [with the material] so long as I can."

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After lethal Hong Kong fireplace, the artwork of bamboo scaffolding hangs within the stability

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