Hong Kong Skyscraper Surrounded by Bamboo Scaffolding Destroyed in Blaze
March 3, 2023
A spectacular fire destroyed a harborside tower under construction in Hong Kong.
More than 250 firefighters battled the fire for more than nine hours.
The skyscraper sits in the heart of the shopping district that's visited by up to 30 million tourists every year, Reuters reported.
Falling scaffolding, made of bamboo, ignited fires in nearby buildings. Officials said Hong Kong is one of the last major cities to use bamboo in construction. Even though it's strong and cheap, it's being phased out. Steel and aluminum will replace it.
The 42-story building didn't have a sprinkler system installed yet.
