Hong Kong fire victims scour scorched homes for keepsakes

HONG KONG — Victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades began government-supervised visits on Monday to their former homes for the first time since the November blaze, hoping to recover personal belongings that may have survived.

The fire, which engulfed seven 31-story residential towers in the northern district of Tai Po, killed 168 people. It took nearly two days to extinguish and has been described as one of the city’s worst disasters, surpassing the scale of London’s Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

“I want to get back my computer most, as some photographs of my son are stored inside,” said a 50-year-old former resident surnamed Chung, who said he prepared canvas bags and tools for the visit. “(I am) not sure if I will have enough time once I get upstairs.”

Until May 4, former residents of Wang Fuk Court are allowed three-hour visits to their flats. They must wear face masks, helmets, and gloves while inside the damaged buildings.

About 1,000 personnel, including firefighters, have been deployed to assist an estimated 6,000 visitors. Officials will escort residents to ensure safety and to help preserve any recovered items.

“I hope everyone will abide by the three-hour rule,” said Warner Cheuk, Hong Kong’s deputy chief secretary, speaking to reporters outside the cordoned-off complex, which remains sealed with orange tape and guarded by officers and crowd-control barriers.

Up to four people can register to enter each unit, though access to severely damaged flats is limited to one person.

Authorities said many of those affected are elderly, with more than a third of residents aged 65 or older, according to data analyzed by Midland Realty.

Months after the fire, residents across the financial hub continue to seek answers about its cause and are calling for accountability. An independent committee began hearings in March to determine the cause of the blaze and examine allegations of bid-rigging involving construction firms.

The panel’s lead lawyer said human factors contributed to the failure of most fire safety systems.

Authorities have warned of severe penalties for anyone attempting to politicize the disaster.

In April, the Housing Bureau ruled out redevelopment of the site, citing the lengthy timeline and ongoing uncertainties. In February, the government announced plans to allocate about HK$4 billion ($512 million) to buy out affected property owners.

-Reporting by Jessie Pang and Joyce Zhou; Editing by Farah Master and Clarence Fernandez / Reuters