The Hong Kong government is set to unveil a resettlement plan for owners who lost their homes in the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po as early as Saturday, offering buy-back options at higher-than-expected prices, the South China Morning Post has learned. Government sources said the acquisition prices for properties without land premiums…
Tai Po district councillors have urged the government to expedite rebuilding plans and offer Wang Fuk Court residents a range of rehousing options after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, as officials pledged to weigh the pros and cons of each proposal. At the first meeting of Tai Po District Council since the fire on…
Members of an independent committee created to investigate Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades inspected the scene of the blaze on Tuesday morning to get a better understanding of the actual environment and conditions at Wang Fuk Court. Judge David Lok Kai-hong, the group’s chairman, was joined by fellow committee members such as Executive Council…
Hong Kong’s home affairs minister has urged landlords against “fishing in troubled waters” by raising rents to pocket government subsidies meant to help displaced residents of the Tai Po fire. The appeal came days after the government announced it would provide affected homeowners of the Wang Fuk Court fire with an annual rental subsidy of…
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors has called on the government to introduce dedicated legislation and a new statutory body to fast-track the buy-back of Wang Fuk Court flats after the deadly fire, clearing the way for residents’ resettlement. Former president of the institute Chiu Kam-kuen, now chairman of its Housing Policy Panel, estimated that…
Some survivors of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have voiced concerns over reliving the tragedy and sharing personal information if they take part in an investigation ordered by the city’s leader, with psychologists calling for a balance between justice and compassion. A number of residents from Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, which was engulfed…
Some residents of the only housing block to emerge unscathed from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have expressed hope that they can continue living in their flats, citing their deep emotional attachment to the neighbourhood. Residents of Wang Chi House at blaze-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po arrived on Thursday for the second…
Hong Kong’s property management watchdog has vowed to rigorously follow up on any suspected breaches over the Wang Fuk Court fire that has claimed 159 lives, even as the estate manager described its role as confined to providing administrative support and managing day-to-day security services. In reply to the Post’s queries, the Property Management Services…
Carrying luggage and weeping, residents of the sole tower spared in the deadly blaze at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po returned to their flats on Wednesday to collect valuables, warm clothes, personal documents, home appliances and pets. Some of those who returned to Wang Chi House said they felt heartbroken going back…
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 156 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of about 30 people unclear…