Hong Kong fire: Officials say netting on buildings did not meet code as death toll hits 151

Hong Kong officials said their investigation into a deadly blaze that killed at least 151 has revealed netting that covered scaffolding used in renovations was not up to fire-safety codes.

HONG KONG — Hong Kong officials said Monday that their investigation into a deadly blaze that killed at least 151 has revealed netting that covered scaffolding used in renovations was not up to fire-safety codes, as a wave of public sympathy and support was met by government moves to stifle criticism.

Wednesday’s blaze, which took until Friday to fully extinguish, started on the lower-level netting around one building in the Wang Fuk Court complex. It then swept inside as the foam panels caught fire and blew out windows. Winds carried flames from building to building. Soon, seven of the eight apartment towers were ablaze.

Initial tests of the netting showed it was up to code, but subsequently investigators collected 20 samples from all areas, including higher floors, and found seven failed safety standards, suggesting contractors skimped to make greater profits, said Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s chief secretary.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he told reporters.

Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s secretary for security, said investigators initially hadn’t been able to reach certain areas, which led to the new findings.