Hong Kong fire survivor returns to charred home in search of lost memories

Hong Kong — Nearly five months after a deadly blaze devastated a residential complex in Hong Kong, a survivor returned to his gutted apartment on Thursday to recover personal belongings and memories of his dog lost in the disaster.

Jason Kong, a 65-year-old construction company owner, revisited his apartment in Wang Fuk Court for the first time since the Nov. 26 fire that tore through seven high-rise blocks in the Tai Po district, killing 168 people in what was one of the city’s deadliest fires in decades.

Kong had been forced to leave behind his 10-year-old poodle, Bear Bear, when authorities prevented residents from re-entering the building as the blaze intensified. Firefighters later rescued the dog and placed it in an oxygen box, but it died from smoke inhalation the following night.

Accompanied by his son and wearing a hard hat, Kong was given a limited three-hour window to retrieve belongings from the blackened apartment. He said he managed to recover only about 10% of his possessions, including documents, photographs and clothing.

“My son was most affected when he saw the dog’s food and its bowl,” Kong said, describing the visit as emotionally difficult. “It really saddened him.”He said the process of deciding what to salvage was overwhelming, adding that the apartment still held a deep emotional connection despite the destruction.

The November fire required nearly two days for firefighters to bring under control and left lasting scars on survivors who are now gradually returning to assess their losses.