Wang Fuk Court Residents Retrieve Belongings

Why this is here: The fire at Wang Fuk Court displaced thousands, and authorities plan to spend HK$6.8 billion to buy out seven of the estate’s blocks.

In Hong Kong, residents of the fire-damaged Wang Fuk Court estate returned to their flats from mid-April to early May to collect salvaged possessions. The November fire at the Tai Po estate killed 168 people and displaced thousands. Families like the Wongs, who lost their home in the blaze, spent a limited three hours retrieving items while confronting lingering trauma.

The Wongs recovered storybooks, photos, and keepsakes, though the smell of smoke deeply affected their nine-year-old daughter, exacerbating her sensitivity to sounds and smells. Carbon Yip and his family also returned, packing up three decades of memories into roughly thirty bags. Yip’s father testified before an inquiry, accusing authorities of neglecting fire hazards at the estate.

Despite the emotional toll, residents sought closure and a final goodbye to their homes. An official inquiry continues to investigate the cause of the fire, and the government plans to demolish seven blocks of the estate, replacing them with a park. The Wongs and Yips are currently living in temporary housing while awaiting further developments.