When ‘renovation’ means demolition by fire
It seems that in Hong Kong they have redefined the concept of “home renovation.” What used to mean painting walls and changing taps now includes involuntary pyrotechnic shows with bamboo scaffolding as the main protagonists. The Wang Fuk Court complex, a group of towers that housed thousands of people, decided to advance its demolition date quite dramatically, becoming a gigantic torch that has claimed the lives of at least 83 people. A macabre record for the modern history of the city.
The firefighters, those heroes who tried to put out the inferno with water guns, had been dealing with the flames for two days while the smoke continued to come out of the windows as if the building was smoking a post-apocalyptic cigarette. Meanwhile, residents watched their homes turn into charred structures, wondering if their home insurance covers “complete incineration due to corporate negligence.”
Bureaucracy faces hell
The authorities, always so efficient, solemnly announced that the extinction operation “is almost complete.” What a relief, all that remained was to extinguish the embers and count the bodies. Meanwhile, chief executive John Lee revealed that they had not been able to contact 279 people, although they were likely on an unexpected holiday. Or maybe they just changed numbers without warning.
Firefighters had the privilege of facing unique obstacles: falling debris, temperatures worthy of a volcano and, of course, the minor detail that emergency vehicles could not approach because fallen scaffolding prevented them from doing so. Almost as if someone had designed the perfect scenario for a tragedy.
But it wasn’t all bad news: the construction company Prestige Construction & Engineering Company (ironic name if ever there was one) had the honor of receiving a police visit where boxes of documents were confiscated. Because nothing says “prestige” like having half the Hong Kong police search your offices for involuntary manslaughter.
Materials that burned with enthusiasm
The investigation revealed pearls of construction wisdom, such as that some materials in the exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards. What a surprise. Additionally, they discovered highly flammable Styrofoam stuck to windows, because what better way to renovate a building than by adding potential fuel? The purpose of this material remains a mystery, although it was probably part of the rapid renewal “premium package.”
Meanwhile, three brave managers and an engineering consultant are enjoying a paid vacation in government offices, accused of involuntary manslaughter. Because when you’re responsible for the safety of thousands of people, the least you can do is be “grossly negligent,” in the words of Superintendent Eileen Chung.
Residents like Lawrence Lee experienced horrendous scenes: his wife, trapped in their apartment, tried to escape but the hallway was so full of smoke that she had to return. Because nothing says “safe evacuation” like corridors that look like something out of a horror movie. Winter and Sandy Chung, other residents, described sparks flying around them during the evacuation, creating that festive, Christmassy atmosphere no one asked for.
And while the city literally burns, authorities promise to meet with industry representatives to discuss changing bamboo scaffolding for metal ones. Because it only takes a tragedy with dozens of deaths to question whether building skyscrapers with materials that burn like matches is a brilliant idea.
The anti-corruption agency, never so timely, announced that it will investigate possible corruption in the project. Because when you see flammable foam stuck to windows and scaffolding turning into tinder, the first thing you think is: “this smells like corruption.”
The lesson? In Hong Kong, home renovations now include risk of death, a free light show and the opportunity to meet emergency services in person. A luxury that, apparently, many residents did not know they had contracted.
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