The government said on Saturday that residents returning to their flats to salvage belongings in the seven Wang Fuk Court blocks scorched in the November inferno would be allowed to go up to their homes in groups of up to four.

However, the actual number allowed in will depend on the extent of the fire damage.

Residents can return in batches at designated time slots between April 20 and May 4 to retrieve their personal belongings and stay for up to three hours.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk told a Commercial Radio programme that only two people would be allowed into 300 of the approximately 1,700 flats with structural damage, and only one into the more than 30 units with severe damage.

However, he said, those in a group of four who are not allowed to enter a flat due to structural or severe damage can still wait outside the unit.

About 80 percent of the flats have been deemed safe enough for the maximum number of four people to be allowed in.

People do not have to be residents to go up, Cheuk said, as residents can turn to their relatives, friends or movers for help.

He said help in the form of mental health support services would be available before residents go up, while social workers and clinical psychologists would be stationed on the floors where the units are located to offer additional support.

"Before going up, the Social Welfare Department will play videos for them to offer psychological counselling first on what they should look out for, how to manage their emotions and remain calm," Cheuk said.

"If someone has died in the flat, there must be an accompanying social worker from the department."

Cheuk called on residents who are unable to return to their flats during the assigned timeslots to inform social workers as soon as possible, so officials can work out an alternative.




Edited by Robert Kemp