The first group of people allowed back to their fire-ravaged flats at Wang Fuk Court on Monday salvaged what remained of their belongings, almost five months after an inferno tore through most of the estate and claimed 168 lives.

About 270 people had registered to go back to their former abodes in Wang Sun House, the first block to be opened up, on the first day, according to Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk.

Those who used to live in Wang Sun House have until Wednesday to make the return trip, with three hours designated for each household.

Authorities have arranged for free shuttle bus services to run between the residential estate and Tai Po Market MTR Station to assist with the return.

While many used the government transport, some arranged for their own transport.

A resident said he was not sure what shape his home was in so he brought along some tools just in case.

“I’ve brought a screwdriver, a pair of scissors, a nylon bag, a rubbish bag and many other plastic bags,” he said.

"It’s likely to be quite dirty inside, so I will try to cover my belongings when I take them out. And I don’t know if I need to dismantle anything. I may need to pry the locks open.

“I really hope to be able to retrieve my son’s photos, which are stored on the computer,” he added.

An elderly woman, who lived alone on the first floor of Wang Sun House, arrived with friends.

She said she felt uneasy but that she would try to contain her emotions after being away from her home in the intervening months since the fire happened, when former residents were prohibited from returning out of safety fears.

“I feel very nervous. I am worried that all of my belongings might be missing or burnt,” she said.

“I am also really thankful to my two dear friends who accompanied me home. I live alone, so it was a bit scary.”

“We are neighbours and friends. Of course we would offer our help,” one of her friends added.

One of those who went up, Chung, said he was able to salvage his computer, a painting, a souvenir from a previous trip to Xizang, as well as clothes after bidding farewell to his flat.

He said three hours had been enough for him to salvage his belongings, adding that going up and down the building was easier than he had imagined.

“Perhaps because I didn’t need to search for my belongings. I knew exactly where to find everything. However, some other flats have been completely reduced to ashes. Those residents will likely need much more time to find anything that remains,” Chung said.

“The stairwells were completely blackened by fire. At first, I thought they would be stuffy and cramped. However, they were well ventilated because the windows had been blown out or melted away. It was okay to walk and breathe in there.”

Another in the group who went up said he, unlike his former Wang Sun House neighbours, brought along virtually no tools or bags along with him on his trip up the stairs to his flat as he had held no hope at all of finding any valuable remains after viewing post-fire photographs of the inside of his flat that he had been given.

People scheduled to return to their former homes later on also milled nearby to observe the process, but they were kept back by a police cordon from having a closer look.

Former residents of Wang Cheong, Wang Yan and Wang Tao houses are up next, with their visits designated for between April 23 and 28.

Wang Tai, Wang Kin and Wang Shing blocks will be the last to be opened up – from April 29 to May 4.
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Last updated: 2026-04-20 HKT 16:21



Edited by Tony Sabine