Hong Kong Residents Await Permanent Housing After Deadly Fire
HONG KONG – A tragic fire last year in Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court apartment complex claimed the lives of many and left numerous residents displaced. As the Lunar New Year approaches, those affected are eager for updates on long-term resettlement plans.
The fire, which occurred on November 26, 2025, took 168 lives. Officials have pointed to poor building maintenance materials as a key factor in the fire’s rapid spread. An investigation is still underway.
The Associated Press spoke with several families impacted by the fire.
Pearl Chow, 87, and her grandson, Dorz Cheung, 33, escaped the blaze but lost their home and belongings. They are currently in separate temporary housing units and long to return to their community in Tai Po. Cheung believes a true home is a permanent one.
Kit Chan, 74, and her husband, Keung Mak, 78, lived in their apartment for over 40 years. Now residing in a smaller youth hostel unit, they are anxious about their future housing situation. They hope to revisit their old home for closure.
Isaac Tam, 23, recounts how his family, like others, had Lunar New Year traditions with their neighbors. The loss of their apartments has been difficult, especially for his 92-year-old grandfather. The family is weighing their options between temporary housing further from the city center and waiting for units in Tai Po.
Phyllis Lo lost her mother in the fire. She questions if the tragedy could have been prevented with better oversight and accountability. She is concerned about transparency regarding the use of relief funds and hopes for a thorough investigation.
The government has stated that they are prioritizing long-term housing arrangements and are analyzing residents’ preferences.
Jack Rozdilsky, a professor of disaster and emergency management, emphasized the importance of mental health support and community rebuilding in the recovery process.
