Live Coverage of Ho g Kong Fire

When I was a Fire Science Student, I did a paper on "Conflagration's." In doing research for that paper, I came across and article about the spread of fires in narrow canyons, where the close proximity of narrow canyons was leading to fires jumping from one side of canyons to the other side, and how this could happen in areas where high rise buildings were built too close to each other. Perhaps this is what is going on in Hong Kong?
Also, it reminds me of London's Granfield (Spelling?) Tower disaster. The indication for the FDNY is that we need a few High Ladder or High Tower Ladder units in FDNY capable to reach the 20th story or so in case of a major fire in one of the now numerous "Sliver" high rise buildings as well as the many traditional High-Rise buildings, exterior streams are available. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
Where is John T, O' Hagan and Local Law Five when you really need them?

The Safety Officer must be getting some substantial exercise trying to enforce a collapse zone.
 
Who would've thought that bamboo scaffolding in flammable.

Fire reportedly started outside of one of the buildings, a red fire warning was also previously issued.

They were also in the process of completely rebuilding the exterior walls, sounds like that more then likely had something to do with it?
 
captaindewey50267021@gm said:
When I was a Fire Science Student, I did a paper on "Conflagration's." In doing research for that paper, I came across and article about the spread of fires in narrow canyons, where the close proximity of narrow canyons was leading to fires jumping from one side of canyons to the other side, and how this could happen in areas where high rise buildings were built too close to each other. Perhaps this is what is going on in Hong Kong?
Also, it reminds me of London's Granfield (Spelling?) Tower disaster. The indication for the FDNY is that we need a few High Ladder or High Tower Ladder units in FDNY capable to reach the 20th story or so in case of a major fire in one of the now numerous "Sliver" high rise buildings as well as the many traditional High-Rise buildings, exterior streams are available. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
Click to expand...
Look at San Francisco as an urban example.

SFFD is certainly aware that if they've got a well involved building on a tight side street at the bottom of a hill in a neighborhood full of two -four story wood facades downwind, the concept of "a huge problem" is an understatement.
 
According to the Hong Kong Free Press:

"767 firefighters, 400 police officers, 128 fire engines and 57 ambulances were deployed to tackle Wednesday's deadly fire at a Tai Po residential complex, the Fire Services Department has told reporters. China's Xi Jinping expressed his condolences after at least 36 were killed and over a dozen people were injured in the blaze."

hongkongfp.com

Wang Fuk Court Fire Archives | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP

hongkongfp.com hongkongfp.com
 
If you study the famous "Kings Crossing" Subway = Under Ground Fine in London U.K. in the 1980s, the follow up study speaks of the dangers of fires spreading up inclined stairs, escalators, and hill sides. There is also something called the "Trench Effect" when fires burn up an open space that has a U shape or V shape, such as an escalator, a Trench or a Narrow street on hilly areas such as San Francisco and yes Hong Kong. As I mentioned in my entry above fire can ALSO spread between High-Rise buildings in the same way fire can spread in Narrow Canyons. This was a factor in the Conflagration in San Francisco in the early1900s and more recently in the early stages of the Conflagration in Lahaina, Maui in the state of Hawaii.
This is a real danger in any hilly city and any city where tall buildings are built too close together. I effect they act like narrow canyons and enhance fire spread. Check out the studies brothers and sisters. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
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