Hong Kong authorities yesterday rushed to remove mesh netting on all buildings undergoing renovation across the territory after the material was blamed for fanning a blaze last week that has killed at least 159 people.

Authorities rushed to remove mesh netting on all buildings undergoing renovation across the city after the material was blamed for fanning a blaze last week that has killed at least 159 people.

Representatives of the construction sector said on Thursday the city had sufficient manpower to remove the mesh

The painstaking effort to search for the remains of those killed in the deadly blaze that engulfed a Hong Kong residential complex last week is nearly its conclusion.

A government-led investigation into the fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court has found that some mesh netting used to wrap the buildings — to protect against falling debris during renovation work — failed to meet fire retardant requirements, as the tragedy's death toll climbed to 151.

The government has ordered the removal of all mesh netting on buildings undergoing major renovation across Hong Kong