Hong Kong fire survivors revisit devastated homes as probe drags on
Hong Kong — Thousands of residents displaced by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades began returning on Monday to their damaged apartments in Tai Po for the first time since a November blaze killed 168 people and destroyed large parts of a residential complex, as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the disaster.
The fire, which spread across seven of eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex, displaced roughly 4,600 residents, many of whom have since been living in temporary housing across the city. Officials have allowed controlled access for residents to inspect their homes and recover belongings, with visits scheduled through early May.
Among those returning is 78-year-old Keung Mak, who lived in his apartment for more than four decades. He said he expected to find little remaining after seeing photographs of severe structural damage, including exposed steel reinforcement and debris-strewn floors. His wife, Kit Chan, said most personal items of sentimental value, including family photographs and letters, were likely destroyed.
Authorities have imposed strict limits on access due to safety concerns, typically allowing up to four people per unit for a maximum of three hours, with further restrictions in severely damaged apartments. Many buildings remain structurally compromised, with elevators out of service, posing challenges for elderly residents, who accounted for over one-third of the complex’s population before the fire.
Local officials said more than 1,400 of those registered to return are aged 65 or older. Some residents have undertaken physical preparation to climb stairs in high-rise buildings, where access remains limited.Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
A lawyer involved in an independent inquiry has indicated that most fire safety systems in the complex failed on the day of the incident due to human error, though authorities have yet to release final findings.Residents have reported ongoing psychological distress, with some describing difficulty sleeping and persistent anxiety months after the event.
Others expressed concern about the condition of their properties and the risk of theft following reports of looting, which led to arrests earlier this year.The Hong Kong government has signaled that demolishing the heavily damaged buildings may be more viable than repairs and has proposed buying back ownership rights from affected residents.
The proposal has drawn mixed responses, with some residents questioning whether less-damaged units could be restored.For others, the emotional toll remains a key factor in decisions about resettlement. Some residents from the only building that escaped the fire have indicated reluctance to return, citing ongoing trauma and the proximity to the site where neighbors and acquaintances died.
Authorities have said further decisions on reconstruction and compensation will depend on the outcome of structural assessments and the final investigation report.
