Jason Kong, a 65-year-old construction company owner, revisited his apartment in Wang Fuk Court for the first time since the Nov. 26 fire that tore through seven high-rise blocks in the Tai Po district, killing 168 people in what was one of the city’s deadliest fires in decades.

Kong had been forced to leave behind his 10-year-old poodle, Bear Bear, when authorities prevented residents from re-entering the building as the blaze intensified. Firefighters later rescued the dog and placed it in an oxygen box, but it died from smoke inhalation the following night.

Accompanied by his son and wearing a hard hat, Kong was given a limited three-hour window to retrieve belongings from the blackened apartment. He said he managed to recover only about 10% of his possessions, including documents, photographs and clothing.

“My son was most affected when he saw the dog’s food and its bowl,” Kong said, describing the visit as emotionally difficult. “It really saddened him.”He said the process of deciding what to salvage was overwhelming, adding that the apartment still held a deep emotional connection despite the destruction.

The November fire required nearly two days for firefighters to bring under control and left lasting scars on survivors who are now gradually returning to assess their losses.

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.