Wang Fuk Court residents to get 3-hour slots to retrieve belongings at fire-hit estate from mid-April

2026-03-27 - 10:53

Wang Fuk Court residents will be given three hours to collect belongings from their fire-hit homes from mid-April to early May, with a maximum of four people allowed per household. A kite near Wang Fuk Court on January 30, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Authorities announced the arrangements on Friday to allow residents to return to their flats for the first time since a massive fire in November engulfed seven of the Tai Po estate’s eight blocks, killing 168 people. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk told reporters that residents would be assigned time slots starting from April 20, depending on which blocks and floors they live in. Wang Sun House residents will be allowed to return first from April 20 to April 22. They will be followed by Wang Cheong House, Wang Yan House and Wang Tao House residents from April 23 to April 28, and then Wang Tai House, Wang Kin House and Wang Shing House residents from April 29 to May 4. For each flat, a maximum of four people can return to collect belongings. Their names must be registered with the authorities beforehand. People watch smoke coming from Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 27, 2025, a day after the fire broke out at the housing estate. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Residents of the estate will not be able to use the lifts and must use stairs. The deputy chief secretary also said they could authorise others to make the trip for them. Those going to the estate will be given hard hats, gloves and masks, which must be worn at all times, Cheuk said. The government will also prepare large canvas bags to assist them in transporting their belongings. Residents will be escorted by officers from the police force or the Civil Aid Service. Clinical psychologists will also be around to offer support. High security Since the deadly fire four months ago, Wang Fuk Court has been closed off from the public amid safety hazards and ongoing investigations. Only the residents of Wang Chi House – the sole block not ravaged by flames – were allowed to briefly return to their flats to collect personal belongings and essentials in December. A child leaves flowers for victims of the Tai Po fire on November 30, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Over the past few months, workers have been carrying out building reinforcement works in preparation for residents being allowed to come back and retrieve their belongings. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said during the same press briefing on Friday that there would be heavy security during the pick-up days, with police officers stationed at lobbies and on every floor of open flats. If residents suspect that any of their belongings have gone missing, they can file a report at an enquiry centre at the Tai Po Baptist Public School, where personnel from the police force, as well as the Home Affairs Department and Social Welfare Department, will be on hand. Free shuttle buses from Tai Po Market MTR station will bring residents to the estate throughout the day, running at 15-minute intervals. Residents who drive will be able to park free at the estate’s car park, and a taxi stand will also be set up to help those leaving the compound.