Death toll from Wang Fuk Court blaze rises to 94 as survivors queue for clothes and shelter

The catastrophic fire that tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has now claimed 94 lives and left more than 70 people injured, with stunned residents lining up at emergency supply stations on Thursday to collect basic clothing, food, and water after fleeing with almost nothing.

At a distribution point set up at the Kwong Fuk Commercial Centre, survivors spoke of the shock of spending the past two nights in government-arranged temporary housing, many still wearing the same clothes they escaped in. 

Some said they felt lost about the future and pleaded for longer-term homes, while others demanded answers and accountability, noting that the massive renovation bills they had paid now seemed pointless with their homes destroyed. 

They welcomed news of the manslaughter investigation and the ICAC corruption probe, hoping justice would be served.

One woman, currently staying with relatives and undecided about moving into transitional housing, stared across at the blackened towers and fought back tears, saying the hardest part was seeing her children unable to return to school because even their uniforms had been lost in the flames.

She urged authorities to uncover exactly how the fire started and to tell the public the full truth.

Amid the grief, strangers continued to arrive with bags of donated underwear and essentials bought after seeing online appeals, quietly handing them over to residents.