Emotional residents returned to the most severely damaged block of Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court on Thursday, holding back tears as they recounted harrowing escapes and called for more time to revisit their homes.
Some survivors managed to retrieve precious belongings from two reopened blocks on Thursday, including a framed wedding photo and cats’ ashes, as about 600 families from the ill-fated estate requested second visits to their flats.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said the government would provide additional support for residents of Wang Cheong House, the hardest-hit block where 81 of the 168 deaths in the Tai Po fire occurred. Residents are returning between April 23 and April 28.
“Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House were severely damaged by the fire, with more fatalities reported. Returning residents will need greater support, particularly emotional and psychological assistance,” he said.
Households of Wang Tai House, which recorded the highest death toll at 82, will return between April 29 and May 4.
Cheuk said each resident entering the block would be accompanied by a police officer, noting that the Social Welfare Department would deploy a psychologist and a social worker to support households where fatalities occurred.
He added that civil servants, police officers and Civil Aid Service members stationed on each floor would be ready to provide assistance at any time.
Only five floors of Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House will be opened each day over the six-day period.
Some residents returned in the morning to Wang Cheong House and Wang Yan House, carrying suitcases, nylon bags, backpacks and large cardboard boxes as they tried to retrieve as many valuables as possible. Others were seen leaving with electrical appliances such as televisions and fans.
A resident surnamed Lau said his family owned two flats in Wang Fuk Court. He lived on an upper floor in Wang Cheong House but came on Thursday to help his father salvage belongings, including old photos, from their second flat in Wang Yan House.
A survivor of the blaze, Lau, recalled his harrowing escape from the 20th floor of Wang Cheong House, during which he suffered burns to 7.5 per cent of his body, including his leg.
“I cannot imagine how I will feel when I go back to the apartment,” he said, adding that he would “leave it in God’s hands.”
Another survivor, surnamed Lee, who lived with her family in Wang Yan House, said the inferno had torn her family apart, forcing her father-in-law to move into an elderly care home.
“This home holds a lifetime of memories, as we have lived here for around 30 years. We are just hoping to salvage some of our wedding photos,” she said.
“We also hope society will give us justice.”
Another resident surnamed Cheung, who lived on the fourth floor of Wang Yan House, said he wanted to say a final goodbye to his flat.
“I want to take one last, long look at it. Losing this home feels like losing a family member,” he said, carrying a hiking backpack to take away his belongings.
With tears in his eyes, a Wang Cheong House resident surnamed Chau said a three-hour window was not enough time to pack up his belongings.
Chau, whose parents lived in a separate flat in the same block, expressed deep frustration with authorities despite the government’s indication that households in need would be allowed to return to their homes.
“Senior officials have no idea what is happening here. They should not set a time limit for us [to pack our things],” he said, complaining that the government was not listening enough.
Chau added that he hoped to salvage at least his watches and other valuables.
A second-floor resident of Wang Cheong House surnamed Chan said he had warned himself not to hold out much hope before stepping into his ruined flat.
Yet he found a small measure of closure amid the devastation.
“I managed to collect the ashes of my two cats, Billy and Charlie,” he said, adding that he could finally bring them home.
While he had braced himself for the wreckage, his wife, who narrowly survived the blaze, said she struggled to control her emotions upon returning.
His wife noted the sheer intensity of the heat had destroyed their belongings, melting everyday items like a plastic bottle of her health supplements.
One resident, surnamed Chow, who lived on a lower floor of Wang Cheong House, retrieved only some home decorations and toys.
“The flat is completely burnt down, but I am most thankful that everyone is safe. I will face this with a calm mind,” he said.
Accompanied by three family members, he said one trip would be enough for packing.
Another survivor, surnamed Kwok, who lived on the eighth floor of Wang Yan House for 42 years and was among its first residents, returned to the scene.
“I feel very sad upon returning, and my emotions have not yet settled. But I mostly hope the public stops calling us ‘greedy’. We have lost everything,” she said, choking back tears.
She urged Hop On Management to convene a homeowners’ meeting to address remaining management and maintenance funds.
Overwhelmed by grief, Jason Kong, who lived on a lower floor of Wang Yan House, said he could not pull himself together to pack his possessions after returning to the flat.
Kong said the process brought back a flood of emotions, particularly when he saw the toys of his dog, which perished in the inferno.
“I hope the government can resettle the residents as soon as possible,” he said.
He expressed frustration over the ongoing inquiry, noting that various government departments appeared to be passing the buck and dodging responsibility.
“Our demands are so humble. We just want to hold an owners’ meeting, not stir up trouble,” Kong said, urging government officials to have direct dialogue with the victims.
A couple surnamed Lai said they moved into their fourth-floor flat in Wang Cheong House as newlyweds and lived there for eight years. They hoped to retrieve their wedding photos. The pair were at work when the fire broke out and said they were still unsure how they would feel upon seeing their home.
Throughout the day, eight requests were made for police help over the suspected loss of property, including watches, jewellery, cash and gold items. Officers recovered the missing items in six cases.
Residents also reported four cases of physical discomfort while one other sought psychological counselling services.
Cheuk also said the government had received requests from about 600 families across the seven blocks as of Wednesday, up from the 400 he announced earlier.
The increase follows residents of Wang Sun House returning over the past three days to collect their belongings.
“We will proactively arrange for households to retrieve their belongings again,” he said, urging those in need to contact their assigned social worker.
Residents of Wang Yan House will also return to their homes between Thursday and Saturday.
Wang Cheong House was the most severely damaged among the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, with 63 per cent of the flats gutted.
The fire broke out in a lightwell outside flats 104 and 105 at around 2.42pm on November 26, 2025. Cigarette butts were later found at the scene and on the scaffolding-covered ground below.
The fire engulfed the 31-storey block in under 20 minutes, then swept through six other blocks within 85 minutes. Wang Tai House was the second block hit.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Thursday that police had used exoskeletons for site cleaning, adding that officers had to master skills and undergo training.
“As we cannot be sure whether residents, especially the elderly, can use it safely, and as it poses certain risks, the government did not provide the equipment,” he said, adding that on-site personnel would also monitor residents using exoskeletons.
AidVengers, a charity that previously offered to lend exoskeletons to Wang Fuk Court residents, has cancelled the service due to unpredictable risks.
Under the 15-day programme that started on Monday, Wang Fuk Court residents are allowed three hours in their flats, excluding time spent on the stairs.
Up to four people per household may return at a time, but only one or two are allowed to enter flats that are severely damaged and deemed unsafe.
About 6,000 residents registered with the government to visit their former homes and collect belongings. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
