No need for complete switch from bamboo to metal scaffolding: Hong Kong minister

Hong Kong’s development minister has said there is no need for an across-the-board switch from bamboo to metal scaffolding, saying the former was not the cause of last month’s deadly Tai Po fire.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho’s stance on Thursday appeared to mark a shift from that of Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who earlier said the city should replace bamboo scaffolding with steel a day after the inferno at Wang Fuk Court.

He said the city should make the transition “as soon as possible”, as bamboo scaffolding was not as good as steel in terms of fire resistance.

On Thursday, Linn said the government was “absolutely” not suggesting bamboo scaffolding was the cause of the deadly inferno, which killed at least 160 people.

“Everyone must be clear that the cause of the Tai Po fire likely involves many factors, and the investigation is still ongoing,” she said.

“[We and] the industry have reached a consensus that it is not necessary to make a blanket switch [from bamboo to metal scaffolding],” she said.