People driven away by the fire that tore through most of Wang Fuk Court continued on Monday to salvage what they could from flats in uninhabitable blocks and say emotional goodbyes to places they had called home for decades.

The returnees on Monday were from Wang Cheong and Wang Tao blocks.

Like many others, a man surnamed Lo came back for belongings that held special meaning to him and to bid farewell to his home.

"[I want to retrieve] sentimental items such as those left by my late parents," he said.

"I want to say goodbye to my home, where I had lived for decades. I will leave a note chronicling my memories of the place."

Another man, surnamed Tse, returned to his Wang Tao House home to retrieve a Bible and an instant hot water dispenser used by his mother for medication.

When asked what he wanted to do most inside his flat, he said: “Sit on the sofa. That was the most comfortable spot in my home.”

Tse’s mother would not walk up because of old age and lack of stamina.

She said her son would video call her after getting inside their flat so that she could have a final look.

“This is my home. If I had been able to go up myself, I could have taken whatever I want. It’s also exhausting for the younger ones,” she added.

Thirteen-year-old Eden came back to say goodbye to a place he had called home for almost half his young life.

“I hope to get my award certificates and medals which I got from mathematical competitions. I asked to come back here. I want to see my home for one last time,” he said.

Meanwhile, a woman surnamed Fung broke into tears after failing to find the ashes of her cat pet inside her gutted flat on the 27th floor of Wang Cheong House.

“I don’t know whether it managed to escape or was turned to ash,” she said, “It’s all gone.”

Fung managed to find a small bag of gold and silver coins.

“I tried to salvage as much as I could. This is all that remains of the memory of my home.”

Fung’s mother had been trapped for 20 hours inside the flat on the day of the fire.

The two revisited their home together, with Fung saying that her mother felt very grateful to the firefighters who saved her life.

Another resident, a man surnamed Woo, was also locked inside his apartment with his wife for over 15 hours on that day.

Woo, who was wearing the same outfit he had on during the fire, said he was unable to walk up to his unit due to a leg injury.

He hoped the government would allow him to return another day.

The government said 443 residents from 119 families returned to their homes on Monday.
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Last updated: 2026-04-27 HKT 22:08



Edited by Tony Sabine