The death toll in Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire has reached 151, with officials confirming that substandard mesh was used in renovations of the Wang Fuk Court housing development.
Seven buildings at the estate went up in flames last Wednesday, with flammable construction materials thought to be the reason why the blaze spread with such terrifying speed, catching many residents unawares.
Local media reports that 7 out of 20 samples of mesh taken from the scene did not meet fire safety standards. The blocks were covered in the mesh as the 43-hour blaze broke out, enabling flames to climb up the 31-storey structures in a matter of minutes.
Flames were also fuelled by bamboo scaffolding and highly flammable styrofoam window seals.
Hong Kong’s number two official, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, said the construction company hired to carry out the renovations had used a mix of fire-resistant and non fire-resistant mesh.
[See more: Four ways you can help victims of Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire]
“Samples which failed the requirements were found in spots difficult to reach … to avoid detection by authorities,” he told media.
A total of 14 people have now been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption – 12 from the project’s main contractor, Prestige Construction, and 2 from a firm hired to carry out exterior work.
Three other people – a university student, a former district councillor and an aid volunteer – have been detained by national security police, accused of seeking to use the disaster to fan anti-government sentiment.
The government has given a cash grant of HK$10,000 to every resident of Wang Fuk Court affected by the blaze, and pledged a year’s free health care, while beginning the process of rehousing those left homeless.
A relief fund for victims has now topped HK$1.3 billion.
