Fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court residents allowed back to collect belongings, starting Apr 20

發佈日期: 2026-03-27 20:21

TVB News

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Residents of seven fire-hit buildings at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po can return to their flats to collect their belongings over three phases, from April 20 to May 4.

Each household can send up to four people in at a time with a maximum stay of no more than three hours per visit.

More than four months after the deadly blaze, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing, alongside multiple principal officials, outlined the plan to let residents at the seven fire-ravaged buildings at Wang Fuk Court return briefly to their flat.

The first in line are residents at Wang Sun House who can retrieve their belongings at their units over three days, starting April 20.

They will also help test out and streamline the procedures.

The following two phases will each cover three buildings including Wang Cheong House -- the block that first went up in flames.

Cheuk Wing-hing says the approach is to tackle the simpler ones first before moving on to those more complex with some alternate access arranged between floors and units to avoid over-crowding.

As the buildings are burnt to a different degree, some will allow lower floor access first.

Residents will be notified individually through social workers and must register in advance.

Each household can have up to four people returning to their unit at the same time.

In some units with structural damage, access will be limited to two people -- or just one for 17 more severely damaged units.

Each household can stay in the unit for up to three hours.

Residents will be given protective gear, including helmets, gloves and masks.

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says in some cases, one can only stay in the living room as conditions remain hazardous, noting that residents should not cross safety cordons.

The operation is expected to involve some 1,700 households with more than 7,000 people.

For suspected cases of stolen items, residents can report to police.

Authorities say residents with health issues, limited mobility or seniors are not advised to take part this time as residents will have to go up and down the stairs with no elevators at the scene.

Wang Tai House resident 68-year-old Mr. Yip lost his wife in the blaze.

He says his priority is to retrieve his wife's belongings, including the bracelet that his mother gave his wife.

As it might be the last time he returns to their former home, Mr. Yip hopes to bid a proper farewell this time -- especially when it's where his wife left the world.

Some residents, meanwhile, say the three-hour cap is too restrictive.

Wang Cheong House resident Mr. Lee says that might not be enough for people to gather personal items.

That's especially when some workers can be seen entering and leaving the site casually.