Hong Kong: A young man who survived one of Hong Kong’s deadliest residential fires has returned to his damaged apartment for the first time, hoping to recover what remains of his past.
Dorz Cheung, 34, walked back into his burnt home months after a massive fire destroyed large parts of a public housing complex in the city. The apartment was covered in ash, broken walls and the smell of smoke, but he still searched carefully through the ruins.
He managed to find a few personal items that meant a lot to him, including running medals, family photographs, travel papers and belongings of his late grandfather. Cheung said the experience was emotional and overwhelming, as memories of the disaster came back while he stood inside the damaged flat.
The fire, which broke out in November 2025, killed more than 160 people and forced thousands to leave their homes. It is considered one of the worst fire tragedies in Hong Kong in recent decades. The blaze spread quickly through the high rise buildings and took many hours to control, raising serious questions about safety systems.
Cheung had moved into the apartment during the pandemic to take care of his grandmother, who also survived the fire. Both of them are now living in temporary housing while waiting for a more permanent solution.
Authorities have recently started allowing residents to return to their homes in phases. People are given limited time to collect their belongings under strict safety rules, as many buildings are still structurally unsafe. For some, the visits bring relief as they recover important items. For others, it brings sadness as they find everything destroyed.
The disaster has left deep emotional scars on survivors. Many are still dealing with trauma, loss and uncertainty about the future. At the same time, some are trying to rebuild their lives step by step.
Cheung has returned to marathon running as a way to move forward. He says the items he recovered are not just objects but reminders of his life before the tragedy.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing. Officials are looking into possible safety failures and whether negligence played a role. The government is also facing pressure to provide support and compensation to those affected.
For survivors like Cheung, recovery is slow. But even in the ashes, small pieces of the past are helping them find strength to begin again.