Regal Hotels offers free rooms to fire victims after deadly apartment blaze

Among 12 of its hotels in the city, some are pet-friendly and will also provide complimentary meals, a spokesperson said, a reported by South China Morning Post.

A Regal Hotels building in Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of Regal Hotels

Regal is among some real estate developers and hotel groups offering shelter and assistance as the fire, which swept through seven apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on Wednesday and left thousands homeless.

The death toll rose to 94 on Friday morning, with several hundred residents still unaccounted for.

Sun Hung Kai Properties, the city’s largest developer by market value, donated HKD20 million (US$2.6 million) for emergency relief and offered 160 rooms in its Imperial hotel chain free of charge to victims.

Sino Group and its philanthropic arm, the Ng Ting Fong Charitable Foundation, contributed HKD20 million and made 160 rooms available in three hotels.

Henderson Land, one of the city’s biggest real estate giants, said it would donate HKD30 million towards emergency relief and transitional living arrangements to residents at Wang Fuk Court, according to Hong Kong Free Press.

Jewelry and property conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Group has donated HKD20 million and mobilized its affiliated businesses to provide temporary shelter, food and warm clothing to affected residents, according to local media reports.

The Li Ka Shing Foundation, named after Hong Kong’s second-richest individual, is also donating HKD30 million to support non-government organizations involved in relief operations.

In addition, it will contribute HKD50 million toward subsequent community rebuilding efforts.