Property Recovery Program Launched at Wang Fuk Court After Deadly Fire
Introduction
Authorities in Tai Po have started a 15-day program to allow displaced residents of Wang Fuk Court to return to their homes and collect personal belongings following a devastating fire in November.
Main Body
The fire affected seven of the eight residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court estate, resulting in 168 deaths, with 81 of those occurring in Wang Cheong House. All blocks had been undergoing renovations since the summer of 2024, which required the use of bamboo scaffolding and mesh. Official investigations concluded that the contractor used low-quality netting, which caused the flames to spread rapidly across the buildings. Under the current recovery plan, residents from blocks such as Wang Sun, Wang Cheong, and Wang Yan are visiting approximately 460 units in scheduled groups. Each person is given a three-hour window to collect their items, accompanied by official guides. While some residents have successfully recovered money, jewelry, and important documents, others emphasized that much of their property was completely destroyed by the heat. At the same time, the police have received more than 40 reports of missing property. Police Commissioner Joe Chow asserted that there is currently no evidence of theft. He explained that items might be missing because they were burned, found during previous searches, or because residents were unsure where they were stored. However, a specialized team is investigating these claims, as three renovation workers were arrested in March for allegedly stealing jewelry from the estate.
Conclusion
The recovery process is continuing under official supervision. Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigation to determine if the missing items were lost due to the fire or stolen by others.