Flat owners affected by Hong Kong fire to get HK$100,000 from authorities
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk reveals funds raised for survivors have reached HK$3.4 billion, with public donations accounting for much of amount
Flat owners affected by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades will each receive HK$100,000 (US$12,850) from authorities, a senior government official has said, while announcing that funds raised for survivors have reached HK$3.4 billion.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Wednesday that many owners had lost rental income when seven out of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court were ruined in the fire last month that killed at least 160 people.
“During our visits to those affected, we learned that some owners relied on income from renting out their flats to cover their daily expenses, so the fire caused a loss in income for them,” he said.
“There are also owners who previously invested capital in renovations and repairs, and so they suffered losses and cash flow pressure too.”
The government said the new subsidy would be given to owners on a per flat basis, meaning multiple owners of the same property would only be granted HK$100,000 between them.
Residents of Wang Chi House, the only block spared from the fire, were also eligible for the subsidy, it said.