A survivor of the deadly Tai Po fire has urged the government to make better arrangements for residents to retrieve personal belongings and allow a longer time to visit their flats.
Jason Kong, a resident at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court and former member of the estate owners’ corporation, told local media on Thursday that his family did not have enough time to search for, collect and pack all their personal belongings within the designated three hours. Residents of Wang Fuk Court return to their homes on April 23, 2026, to collect what is left of their personal belongings after a massive blaze that killed 168 people in their housing estate. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. He talked with journalists after he returned to his flat at Wang Yan House with his wife and son on Thursday morning. Kong and his family were among the residents of Wang Yan House, alongside those from Wang Cheong House, the worst-hit Wang Fuk Court block, who were allowed to enter their units on Thursday. As it was dark inside, the family used torches as they searched for items, which made it more difficult to collect their belongings, he said.
Kong said the government should provide portable LED lights for residents. He also questioned why authorities did not repair some lifts of the residential buildings to make it easier for elderly residents. Ming Pao reported that many elderly homeowners could not make it due to the difficulty of climbing stairs. After waiting for nearly five months, Wang Fuk Court residents were allowed to return to their fire-scorched homes to retrieve personal belongings in batches starting on Monday until May 4. Residents of Wang Sun House, Wang Fuk Court, carry suitcases to pack their belongings on April 20, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A total of 168 people were killed in the fire that engulfed seven of Wang Fuk Court’s residential towers in November. Wang Cheong House saw the highest casualties, with 81 deaths.
Another Wang Fuk Court resident, surnamed Lee, told InMedia on Monday that he felt like he was “begging” the government to return to his home.
“I would really love to know, after I return to my flat, how you could kick me out? Which Hong Kong laws could you use? This is my home! Don’t I have the right to stay there to pack my things?” he said in Cantonese.
The government said in February that residents would only be able to enter their homes once for a maximum of three hours, prompting widespread criticism.
Warner Cheuk, deputy chief secretary for administration, announced later that residents would be allowed to return to their homes more than once and to make multiple trips within the three-hour slot .
600 households apply for second visits
Cheuk told local media on Thursday that the government had received requests from around 600 households applying for a second visit to their Wang Fuk Court flats. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. He said authorities would make arrangements for the second visits, but he did not disclose a timeline.
Because Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House sustained severe damage, every household entering or leaving either building will be accompanied by a police officer, Cheuk said.
Each household visiting flats with fatalities will be accompanied throughout the entire process by a clinical psychologist from the Social Welfare Department and a social worker, he added.