Investigate real causes of Tai Po fire before blaming bamboo scaffolding

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words\nI feel compelled to rebut the letter, “Taipo fire tragedy shows why bamboo scaffolding must go” (November 28).\nMany people, both professionals and laymen, have argued that the focus of the probe should be on the mesh covering and plastic sheets used that might not meet the basic fire-retardant requirements. We should not be scapegoating bamboo poles.\nEric Yung Chun-tang, chairman of the Association of Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors of Hong Kong, said the type of netting used was critical to controlling the spread of the flames. Regulations require fire-retardant materials, he said, stressing that replacing bamboo scaffolding would not solve the problem if the nets were not compliant.\nThe Buildings Department has also sent a circular to all registered contractors requiring them to certify that the protective nets, screens, tarpaulins and plastic sheeting installed at their sites must meet recognised fire-retardant standards.\nRaffaella Endrizzi, an architect and faculty member at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, noted in your report that bamboo as a material is naturally resistant to ignition, as it retains a significant amount of moisture that slows combustion.\nTommy So, a veteran member of the Bamboo Scaffolding Association of Hong Kong, also believed that it was the netting and the foam board used to seal the windows that made the fire spread so quickly.\nTheir comments should be heeded.\nConstruction industry veterans take issue with the government’s plan to replace bamboo scaffolding with steel ones, calling the proposed switch a “misguided solution that fails to address the cause of most construction accidents: poor training, weak on-site supervision and lax adherence to safety rules”. They also pointed out that steel scaffolding not only cost more and is less flexible, but it also carries its own safety risks.\nBamboo scaffolding has been used in Hong Kong for centuries. The material is resilient and strong, lightweight and flexible, allowing for easier transport and installation. It is cost-effective and practical.\nMost importantly, our beautiful city is made even more alluring when we are one of the few places in the world where bamboo scaffolding is ubiquitous. This helps make Hong Kong a vibrant and unique world city where East meets West. With its long history, bamboo scaffolding is a cultural craft that Hong Kong should be associated with. It is a good Hong Kong story to tell.\nI strongly advocate that this unassuming yet sturdy building structure be preserved, allowing it to do its job quietly and effectively.\nCarol Choi, Tai Tam\nOpportunistic criticism and scams must be condemned\nThe catastrophic fire in Tai Po last week shocked and saddened the whole of Hong Kong. Immediately, many people moved to donate essentials, money and services. The government, too, responded. Though there was some initial chaos – there always was in every major disaster – it quickly came to grips with the huge problems of relief, site management, organising distribution of essentials to the victims, all the while still fighting to control the blaze and rescue victims.\nDespite such efforts, there were those who chose to use the opportunity to discredit official actions, while scams were prepared to prey upon the compassion of others. Such despicable activities should be condemned.\nThe men and women of our community have shown clearly to the world we are one at heart though we are of many different nationalities. Everyone who had a role to play when disaster struck stood up to the task – our firefighters, police and other services, the volunteers, domestic helpers and ordinary members of the public all did their share.\nThe best way we can honour the dead and the victims will be to learn and improve so that they will not have died in vain.\nJames A. Elms, Wan Chai\nDevastated by victims’ unimaginable suffering\nWe are extremely shocked and devastated by the tragic fire that affected a multi-storied housing estate in Tai Po. The speed with which the fire spread throughout this high-rise housing estate and the very high number of casualties involved left us overcome. We cannot imagine the level of suffering experienced by the residents of these tower blocks.\nThe Fire Services Department acted quickly, considering the scale and speed of the spread of the fire. We congratulate them for this.\nWe spent 46 years of an enjoyable and successful career in Kowloon and have always been proud residents of Hong Kong. We would like to express our sincere condolences for the victims and our full support for the families and friends of those involved.\nShalom Levy, Moana, New Zealand\nShould buildings in housing estate be further apart?\nIt is hard to say how much sadness filled my heart seeing how the hard-working, wonderful people of the Tai Po housing estate lost everything they possessed in that deadly fire. I grieve for the loss of lives, particularly for the firefighter who bravely battled the fire on the front line.\nIt would probably be good to position buildings with enough space between them to avoid flying debris starting a fire in adjacent buildings to avoid such tragedies. We in Iran face the same issues.\nI wish all stricken families a swift recovery from their problems.\nHassan Vossough, Tehran, Iran\n