Hong Kong government refuses to extend buy-back deadline for fire-ravaged estate

Hong Kong's deputy financial secretary, Michael Wong, said the government will not extend the August 31 deadline for homeowners at Wang Fuk Court to accept a buy-back offer, and warned that later compensation under statutory mechanisms would be substantially lower. About 100 owners, or 5% of the estate, have yet to accept the offer. The fire last December killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 residents.