Hong Kong Hung Fuk Court: First Residents Return Home to Collect Belongings, Say Goodbye to Beloved Cat
Residents of Hong Kong's Hung Fuk Court, devastated by a fatal fire, began returning to collect belongings. The government's decision not to rebuild on-site has caused distress among displaced residents, particularly the elderly. An independent investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 16:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 16:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 17:05 (33 min after Collected)
Hong Kong, April 20 (CNA) The first residents of Hong Kong's Hung Fuk Court, affected by a major fire last November, were allowed to return to their homes today to collect belongings. Some returned to say goodbye to beloved cats who died in the blaze, while others simply went to see their homes. The Hong Kong government recently announced it will not rebuild on-site, leaving elderly residents who were forced to move deeply frustrated.
According to joint reports from AFP and Reuters, the fire last November affected seven of the eight buildings in Hung Fuk Court, resulting in 168 deaths. The blaze took nearly two days to extinguish, making it Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades.
Approximately 6,000 residents can return to their homes in batches between April 20 and May 4 to collect personal belongings. Each visit is limited to 3 hours, and visitors must wear masks, helmets, and gloves upon entry. A maximum of 4 people per household can register, but those whose homes were severely damaged are limited to 1 person.
Mr. Zhong, 50, told reporters that he retrieved his computer containing family photos and bid farewell to his cat who died in the fire. "I don't know where she died, but I went to her favorite sleeping spot and told her to reincarnate quickly."
Mr. Harry Leung, who was among the last residents to leave Hung Fuk Court on the day of the fire, told AFP that returning to his former residence was a complex emotional experience. Although he was eager to see the home where he had lived for most of his life, he felt 3 hours was insufficient.
Midland Realty, analyzing government data, indicated that over one-third of the affected residents are elderly individuals over 65.
Months after the fire, public calls for accountability and investigation into the cause of the blaze continue in Hong Kong. An independent investigation committee held its first hearing in March, examining the fire's origins and allegations of bid-rigging by developers. The committee's chief legal representative attributed the failure of most fire safety systems to human factors.
The Hong Kong government has warned that anyone attempting to 'politicize' the disaster will face severe penalties.
In April of this year, the Hong Kong Housing Bureau announced that due to the excessive time required and uncertainties in the surrounding area, it has definitively decided against on-site reconstruction. The government had previously proposed to purchase residents' property rights in cash.
Mr. Leung told AFP, "I believe quite a few people don't want to accept (the government's plan), but they have no other choice; they are forced to accept it... If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to leave Hung Fuk Court."(Editor: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150420
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According to joint reports from AFP and Reuters, the fire last November affected seven of the eight buildings in Hung Fuk Court, resulting in 168 deaths. The blaze took nearly two days to extinguish, making it Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades.
Approximately 6,000 residents can return to their homes in batches between April 20 and May 4 to collect personal belongings. Each visit is limited to 3 hours, and visitors must wear masks, helmets, and gloves upon entry. A maximum of 4 people per household can register, but those whose homes were severely damaged are limited to 1 person.
Mr. Zhong, 50, told reporters that he retrieved his computer containing family photos and bid farewell to his cat who died in the fire. "I don't know where she died, but I went to her favorite sleeping spot and told her to reincarnate quickly."
Mr. Harry Leung, who was among the last residents to leave Hung Fuk Court on the day of the fire, told AFP that returning to his former residence was a complex emotional experience. Although he was eager to see the home where he had lived for most of his life, he felt 3 hours was insufficient.
Midland Realty, analyzing government data, indicated that over one-third of the affected residents are elderly individuals over 65.
Months after the fire, public calls for accountability and investigation into the cause of the blaze continue in Hong Kong. An independent investigation committee held its first hearing in March, examining the fire's origins and allegations of bid-rigging by developers. The committee's chief legal representative attributed the failure of most fire safety systems to human factors.
The Hong Kong government has warned that anyone attempting to 'politicize' the disaster will face severe penalties.
In April of this year, the Hong Kong Housing Bureau announced that due to the excessive time required and uncertainties in the surrounding area, it has definitively decided against on-site reconstruction. The government had previously proposed to purchase residents' property rights in cash.
Mr. Leung told AFP, "I believe quite a few people don't want to accept (the government's plan), but they have no other choice; they are forced to accept it... If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to leave Hung Fuk Court."(Editor: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150420
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect news freedom.
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.