There were numerous casualties in the No. 5 Alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, including many foreign domestic helpers. Concerned about the deceased and missing compatriots, the Filipinos in Hong Kong have voluntarily formed some teams to assist the victims and hoped that their missing friends and families can be safe.
Many Hong Kong residents have come to the site of the fire to express their condolences. Photo by Bastille Post
Nancy ilagan, the initiator of one of the Filipino volunteer teams, called on her followers on social media to join her to reach out a helping hand to the victims. She said, "I am very sad to learn that many of our fellow Filipinos have unfortunately lost their lives in this disaster or are still losing contact up to now." To help the Filipino compatriots get through this difficult time, she was willing to actively contribute together with her friends and tried their best to offer as much assistance to the residents who needed support at the site of the fire.
Furthermore, she also mentioned, "I was very touched to see that the Hong Kong government has provided much timely assistance to the affected residents. I hope that the missing Filipino compatriots can return to their loved ones as soon as possible."
Nancy ilagan, Photo by Bastille Post
A No. 5 Alarm fire broke out in Wang Fuk Court on the afternoon of Nov. 26th. After two days of round-the-clock rescue efforts, the fire was finally extinguished on the 28th. The fire disaster has so far caused numerous deaths and injuries, and the conditions of over a hundred people still remain unknown.
Today (May 4) marked the final day of the first round for Wang Fuk residents to go upstairs and retrieve their belongings.
Ms. Au, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Au, a resident of Wang Tai House, said she had been informed that most of her belongings had been destroyed in the fire, so she did not feel panicked or anxious about going in. "But once we got inside, the unit was such a mess that we didn't even know where to start," she recalled. "We spent three hours just walking around, unsure where to begin looking." She had hoped to find her wedding ring, but it was nowhere to be found.
The inner condition of Ms. Au's unit, Photo by Bastille Post
Even though she knew her home had been burned to ashes, seeing the once-familiar park and lobby transformed into something unrecognizable was still heartbreaking. She described feeling as though she was stepping into a place she had never been before.
The inner condition of Ms. Au's unit, Photo by Bastille Post
For Ms. Au, her unit was more than just a home. It was the first place she and her husband lived after getting married, and the place where their three children were born and raised. Over 11 years, they built their lives from scratch there, making every corner of the unit deeply meaningful.
She added that her children had hoped to find keepsakes left to them by relatives who had passed away. "Their great-grandmother gave a baby trike, but when we found it, only the metal frame remained." Ms. Au and her family planned to return to the unit in the future, not just to search for more belongings, but also to say a proper goodbye. She shared that her children have been expressing their grief through drawing and other means of creation these days. With the assistance of social workers and psychologists, she and her husband are gently guiding their children to accept that their home disappeared overnight.
The safe retrieved by Ms. Au from her unit, Photo by Bastille Post
Near the mailboxes in the building's lobby, Ms. Au placed flowers, food, and drinks to mourn the neighbors who lost their lives in the tragedy. She said the government's requirement for residents to choose a resettlement solution by the end of August had put immense pressure on her and created significant difficulties. For now, she said, she could only "take it one step at a time." She hoped to learn the cause of the fire and understand why the building had been so severely damaged, so that such a tragedy could be prevented in the future. She also hoped that meetings could be held for residents to voice their wishes and receive clear explanations about the next steps.
Mr. Mak, Photo by Bastille Post
Another resident, Mr. Mak, who is over 70 years old, moved into Wang Shing House in 1983. As a designer by trade, he designed all the furniture in his home himself. Today, he retrieved seven loads of furniture from his unit. "Nevertheless, I couldn't take any of the large pieces — the sofas, tables, and chairs were all made of Thai rosewood," he said. Mr. Mak said his home was in relatively good condition, just a little dusty. "I was worried for days, but thankfully nothing was missing." Although he managed to take back his cash and some jewelry, he forgot to collect his paintings this time. "I'll see if I get a chance to return in the coming days," he said.
Mr. Mak retrieved seven loads of furniture from his unit. Photo by Bastille Post
Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Mak hoped the government could arrange for some unfurnished apartments with basic renovations for their resettlement. "I'm worried about running into dishonest renovation workers," he explained. "I don't mind paying. I just want the government to handle the simple renovations. We're already over 70, and the younger generation has to work. We no longer have the energy to deal with these things." His voice choked with emotion as he thanked the many kind people who had helped him since the fire. However, he added, "The contractors and consultants have been very problematic. The government departments shirked their responsibilities at the hearings and ignored the issues that needed fixing. That's deeply unsatisfactory."
Ms. Chong, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Chong, who lives in Wang Tai House, said her home was in relatively good condition. Many police officers helped her carry her belongings, making the process less tiring. As a painting enthusiast for over a decade, she brought more than 30 paintings out of her home, each with its own meaning. "They mainly show scenery from my travels," she said. Her favorite is a landscape of Vienna, though she couldn't show it to reporters right away, as it would have to be retrieved later. She revealed that she is now working on a painting of Wang Fuk Court as a keepsake to remember the fire.
Ms. Chong brought more than 30 paintings out of her home, each with its own meaning. Photo by Bastille Post
Today (May 4) marked the final day of the first round for Wang Fuk residents to go upstairs and retrieve their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post
Photo by Bastille Post
Photo by Bastille Post
Wang Fuk Court, Photo by Bastille Post
Wang Fuk Court, Photo by Bastille Post
