‘Pointless’: Tai Po fire survivors get no answers at owners’ meeting as gov’t buybacks loom

Residents of the Tai Po housing estate devastated by a fatal fire last November have been left without answers following a recent owners' meeting. The meeting, held at Tai Po Community Centre, was the first general meeting for flat owners since the blaze that claimed 168 lives and displaced thousands.

For months, residents had been pushing for such a meeting, but government-appointed administrators cited difficulties in securing venues and verifying owners. Many attendees later described the gathering as "pointless." One resident, surnamed Chan, left after two hours, stating that the administrators "evaded all questions." Residents questioned why they could not return to their homes, even if they hadn't sold their property titles, asking, "Which law in Hong Kong says we cannot go home?"

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Evaded all questions

Administrators reportedly deflected these inquiries, suggesting residents contact government social workers instead, claiming the matter fell outside their remit. Authorities have kept the entire Wang Fuk Court cordoned off since the fire, citing safety concerns, though they have facilitated limited returns for residents to collect belongings.

During the six-hour meeting, owners rejected an audit report but agreed to a second meeting within two months. However, a significant concern remains the looming deadline for the government's buyback offer, which expires at the end of August. Authorities are offering to repurchase property titles through flat swaps or cash payments, potentially forcing owners to make decisions before all their questions are answered.

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Which law in Hong Kong says we cannot go home? I am the owner of the flat as long as I have not sold it, right?