Hong Kong highrise netting did not meet code, officials say, with death toll at 151 people

Hong Kong officials said Monday that their investigation into a deadly blaze that killed at least 151 people has revealed some of the 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.

The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday but took until Friday to fully extinguish, started on the lower-level netting covering bamboo scaffolding around one building in the Wang Fuk Court highrise complex. It then swept inside as foam panels placed over windows caught fire and blew out the glass. Winds carried flames from building to building that all were covered in scaffolding and netting, until seven of eight were ablaze.

Initial tests of the netting showed it was up to code, but su