Fire rips through scaffolding at Central’s Chinachem Tower

A major fire broke out in the afternoon at the scaffolding of Chinachem Tower, located in Hong Kong’s Central district, prompting a No. 3 alarm from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department.

The blaze began within the external scaffoldings of the high-rise office building during renovation works, rapidly spreading across multiple levels. Firefighters were dispatched promptly, evacuating the building and focusing on protecting adjacent structures in the dense business area.

Four people were taken to hospital: at least two with smoke inhalation and two with possible minor burns, according to authorities. No fatalities have been reported. The exact cause of ignition remains under investigation — initial reports indicate welding or cutting equipment may have sparked the fire, but the investigation is ongoing.

Traffic at nearby roads was temporarily diverted and commercial activity in the immediate vicinity was disrupted as a safety perimeter was enforced. Local businesses were asked to temporarily suspend operations while the structure was secured and inspected. Fire crews brought the fire under control after around one hour, and as of the latest update, they are working on cooling hot spots and safe dismantling of charred scaffold components.

Occupational safety concerns have been raised given the fire’s location on external scaffolding. The incident adds urgency to calls for stricter oversight of construction-related fire risks in Hong Kong’s high-density urban environment. Property management and building contractors are likely to face more scrutiny, especially regarding hot-work permits and fire-resistant materials for temporary structures.

Key Takeaways:

A No. 3 alarm fire engulfed scaffolding at Chinachem Tower in Hong Kong Central; four people were hospitalised.

The fire may have been triggered during welding/cutting work, highlighting risks around scaffolded external renovation sites.

Disruption in the Central business district followed, and the event has renewed focus on construction-site fire safety in dense urban settings.

Adapted From:

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/314488/No-3-alarm-fire-engulfs-scaffolding-at-Centrals-Chinachem-Tower-four-hospitalized