Survivors of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in recent decades have begun carefully controlled visits to their former homes in the Tai Po district, as authorities oversee the first major recovery effort since the November disaster that killed 168 people.
From Monday, former residents of Wang Fuk Court—an estate of seven 31-storey residential towers—were allowed to enter their damaged flats under strict supervision to retrieve personal belongings that may have survived the blaze. The fire, which took nearly two days to extinguish, is now regarded as the deadliest residential disaster in the city’s modern history and has drawn comparisons with the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London.
The controlled return marks a sensitive phase in Hong Kong’s ongoing response to the tragedy, as families attempt to salvage remnants of their past lives while authorities maintain tight safety and security measures at the heavily damaged site.
For many former residents, the return to Wang Fuk Court is deeply emotional and uncertain, with survivors given only a limited window of time inside their former apartments.
One resident, a 50-year-old man surnamed Chung, said he was primarily hoping to recover his computer, which contained irreplaceable photographs of his son.
“I want to get back my computer most, as some photographs of my son are stored inside,” he said. “I’ve prepared canvas bags and tools, but I’m not sure if I will have enough time once I get upstairs.”
Under the government’s arrangements, each visit is limited to three hours per household. Former residents must wear protective equipment including masks, helmets, and gloves while inside the buildings.
Authorities have deployed approximately 1,000 personnel, including firefighters and civil servants, to assist and escort an estimated 6,000 people expected to participate in the recovery visits. Officials will supervise the process closely to ensure safety and prevent disputes over recovered property.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk urged participants to strictly follow the time restrictions.
“I hope everyone will abide by the three-hour rule,” he said while speaking near the secured perimeter of the estate, which remains cordoned off with barriers and under police surveillance.
Access to the buildings is tightly controlled, with up to four people allowed to register per household. However, in cases where flats were severely damaged, only one person per household is permitted to enter.
Officials say the restrictions are necessary due to structural risks and hazardous conditions inside the affected towers.
The scale of destruction remains significant across the estate, where many units were heavily damaged or rendered inaccessible by the intense heat and prolonged burning during the November fire.
Demographic data indicates that a large proportion of affected residents are elderly. Analysis by Midland Realty suggests that more than one-third of residents in the estate are aged 65 or above, raising additional concerns about the physical and emotional toll of the recovery process.
Even months after the disaster, Hong Kong continues to grapple with unanswered questions about how the fire began and spread so rapidly through the high-rise complex.
An independent investigation committee launched public hearings in March to examine the causes of the blaze, including allegations of misconduct and systemic failures in construction and safety oversight.
Legal representatives involved in the inquiry have pointed to human error as a key factor in the failure of fire protection systems, raising concerns about regulatory enforcement and construction practices.
Authorities have warned against attempts to politicise the tragedy, stating that accountability will be pursued through formal legal and investigative channels.
Government considers long-term future of Wang Fuk Court site
In parallel with the investigation, the Hong Kong government has begun evaluating the long-term future of the site. In April, officials ruled out immediate redevelopment, citing the complexity of rebuilding and ongoing uncertainties surrounding safety and structural assessments.
Earlier, in February, the government announced plans to allocate approximately HK$4 billion (around $512 million) for a buyout scheme aimed at compensating property owners affected by the disaster.
The decision reflects the scale of the damage and the prolonged timeline expected for any potential redevelopment of the estate.
The supervised return to Wang Fuk Court highlights the continued human impact of the tragedy, as survivors confront both emotional loss and practical challenges in rebuilding their lives.
For many families, the brief opportunity to retrieve personal belongings represents one of the few remaining connections to homes they were forced to abandon during the fire.
As Hong Kong continues its investigation and recovery process, the Tai Po disaster remains a defining moment in the city’s recent history, shaping public debate on housing safety, urban planning, and regulatory oversight in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
