They don't seem to be weighing any factors at all, other than fire safety. Wood is renewable, cheap, cheaper to construct with, much more environmentally benign

They don't seem to be weighing any factors at all, other than fire safety. Wood is renewable, cheap, cheaper to construct with, much more environmentally benign than concrete, very fire-safe (though not as safe as some), etc., etc. As was mentioned by other commenters, affordable housing has a value that can be balanced against fire safety. Carbon contribution as well. Everything has trade-offs. "Safe Enough" needs to be an allowable state.