Economist Podcasts Fire, then fury: Hong Kong’s deadly blaze
35 snips
Nov 28, 2025 
Emma Irving, Asian editor at The Economist, discusses the devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong, revealing safety failures like flammable materials and disabled alarms. She highlights public grief and outrage over housing inequality affecting the elderly victims, alongside political implications and potential reforms. Sarah Lonyuk, an Audio correspondent, shares insights on a year of protests in Georgia, tracking their evolution amidst legal restrictions and Russian influence. She evaluates the factors that could lead to successful popular uprisings.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Material Risks Drove The Fire
- The blaze likely spread because renovation materials and practices amplified fire risks, not a single cause.
- Emma Irving warns that non-fire-retardant netting, styrofoam and disabled alarms created a cascade of safety failings.
Tragedy Highlights Housing Inequality
- Public grief has mixed with anger because many victims were elderly and lived in poor, cramped housing.
- Emma Irving links the tragedy to long-standing housing inequality in Hong Kong.
Immediate Government Measures
- Authorities arrested construction executives and launched a relief fund while suspending campaigning.
- Emma Irving says phasing out hazardous practices like bamboo scaffolding is planned as a safety response.