Ashes & Aftermath: return to Tai Po fire ground zero -- severely damaged Wang Cheong House
發佈日期: 2026-04-23 20:08
TVB News
Residents continued to return to Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to collect what remains of their former homes today.
Today, access is granted to three blocks including Wang Cheong House, one of the hardest-hit buildings in the deadly blaze.
Authorities say special support, including psychologists, were provided.
Wang Cheong House was where the deadly blaze first erupted.
The inferno claimed 81 lives here, making it the second deadliest block after Wang Tai House.
The first batch to return today were residents from the lower five floors.
Mr. Chan gasps in the video, "The kitchen -- gone. I still can't believe it."
Mr. Chan visited the wreckage of what was once his home -- a second-floor unit, ravaged by fire.
Fragments of life remained. His family and pet cat had escaped safely that day with some cherished belongings recovered.
Fighting back tears, Mrs. Chan says she is trying to stay strong as what's happened has happened. There was nothing much they could do now. They could only bid a final farewell to their neighbours.
Some elderly residents, despite mobility issues, slowly made their way upstairs with walking frames.
Describing the devastation, Mr. Chow says multiple units on his floor were gutted to just charred ruins -- everything had turned to ashes but the only thing that matters is that they are alive.
Authorities have arranged for residents of Wang Cheong and Wang Tai Houses to return over six days -- three more than other blocks and are offering psychological support.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing says each household is accompanied by a police officer while units that suffered fatalities are assigned a clinical psychologist and social worker throughout the visit.
Cheuk adds that around 600 households have so far expressed a wish to retrieve their belongings again and authorities will actively make arrangements. Residents who have not indicated can also convey their wish through their social workers.
Residents of Wang Yan House were also allowed back the same day.
Mr. Lee says he has waited a long time for this day but everything is reduced to ashes, even the stainless steel sink in the kitchen melted.
For Mr. Cheung, returning was about saying thank you and goodbye.
Some residents searched through the rubble, hoping to recover fragments of their past.
Others, unable to secure a slot to return, waited anxiously outside the cordon.
Ms. Kwok, whose home was half-decimated, spoke through her grief. She says she just hopes people stop calling them greedy to get relief and support as they have lost everything.
The government said it will continue to make arrangements for residents who want to return to their flats again.
