Construction firms began removing scaffold netting from buildings across Hong Kong on Thursday to meet a three-day government-imposed deadline following the city’s deadliest blaze in decades.
Authorities also doubled a living allowance for households at fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and promised to help its residents with long-term housing issues.
To meet Saturday’s deadline, contractors at more than 200 buildings under renovation started taking down scaffolding mesh to allay public fears over safety, with the People’s Liberation Army telling the Post that it would also remove netting at its barracks in Kowloon Tong.
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The measure followed last Wednesday’s blaze at the Tai Po housing complex, where substandard, non-fire retardant protective nets were found to have been used on its eight high-rise blocks. The inferno killed at least 159 people, including a firefighter, as it quickly swept through seven buildings.
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Scaffolding nets removed from construction sites across Hong Kong after deadly fire
Scaffolding nets removed from construction sites across Hong Kong after deadly fire
Thursday also marked the second and final day for residents of Wang Chi House – the sole block untouched by fire – to collect belongings from their homes.
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Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen announced more support measures for each affected household, including doubling the living allowance from HK$50,000 (US$6,410) to HK$100,000. Wang Fuk Court had nearly 2,000 households.