Officials might have to use legislative means to reclaim flats, directly impacted by the Wang Fuk Court fire last November, from homeowners who do not accept the government's acquisition proposal, the deputy finance chief said on Sunday. The government earlier unveiled plans to spend about HK$6.8 billion to buy back homes in the seven blocks, damaged in the deadly inferno, from flat owners, who have until the end of August to make a decision. Buyout offers for units for which the land premium had not been paid would be HK$8,000 per square foot and HK$10,500 for those with the premium paid up. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said a day after unveiling the acquisition plan that he understood some homeowners might have their own reasons to refuse to sell their flats, and that the decision should be consensual. He cautioned that homeowners opting out could face challenges in putting their flats on the property market, while indicating the possibility for the government to acquire ownership through legislation if the situation remains unresolved. "In the long run, we will explore whether to use legislative means to handle the tiny fraction of flats left unacquired, as there is currently no law applicable to the matter," Wong said. "At this stage, we wish to reclaim most of the flats and be patient with the remaining ones." The eighth block at the estate, Wang Chi House, that was not affected by the devastating blaze will not be included in the acquisition plan. But Wong said the administration would be willing to discuss options with homeowners in Wang Chi House if at least half of them in that block agreed to the buyout proposal. Edited by Tony Sabine