The Feelings of Residents of Wang Chi House when They Can Come Back to Take Their Belongings

The Tai Po fire has caused over a hundred casualties so far. As for the police, they have completed the search work in five buildings of Wang Fuk Court. At present, the residents of Wang Chi House, the building in Wang Fuk Court that has not been affected by the fire, can start to return to the building to retrieve their important personal belongings. Each household is limited to two people entering Wang Chi House at the same time and can stay there for a maximum of one and a half hours.

The residents of Wang Chi House can be allowed to enter the building and take some personal belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

The residents of Wang Chi House can be allowed to enter the building and take some personal belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

Mrs. Szeto, a resident of Wang Chi House living together with her family members for over thirty years, said that she had experienced great emotional ups and downs in the past week. During the interview, she even choked with sobs several times. She said that with the help of the social worker responsible for taking care of her family, she stayed at a hotel for a few days. Nevertheless, as for the arrangement in the future, she thought there were still many unknowns. Mrs. Szeto pointed out that many transitional houses are now fully occupied, only the houses in Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling would be available. However, she and her family cannot live in such a faraway place. "The distance is too far. We can't go to work on time."

Mrs. Szeto, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Yik said he still felt quite heart-shaken when recalling his fleeing. Although he successfully took his cat to run out of the building together with him, he admitted that everything he saw and heard at that time was "so terrifying". Mr. Yik pointed out that the fire alarm didn't go off at all on that day. He only learned about the fire when he received a call from his son. In a panic, he only took the cat and fled as fast as he could. When he was allowed to return to Wang Chi House to take some personal belongings, he brought some clothes and valuable items back with him. In his eyes, the government had arranged sufficient time for them to adjust their emotions and living pace recently. Moreover, he also expressed sincere thanks to all the volunteers for helping him carry the luggage. Mr. Yik pointed out that since his wife worked in a hospital, his family could have the chance to stay in a hotel for these days.

Mr. Yik, Photo by Bastille Post

The 98-year-old Grandma Wong and her pet dog Lily had left Wang Chi House safely when the fire disaster occurred. Since she was allowed to take some personal belongings from her home recently, she returned to her residence to retrieve some documents with the company of helpers. She said that since the hospital had already arranged for the medicine she needed to take to be delivered to her hand, there was no need for her to retrieve the medicine from home. After the fire, Grandma Wang has been living with her daughter these days. At the time of the incident, her daughter-in-law called to inform her of the fire. When Grandma Wong opened the door to flee, her dog Lily walked away for some time. Fortunately, Lily still waited for Grandma Wong and the foreign domestic helper to leave together.

Grandma Wong, Photo by Bastille Post

Her pet dog Lily, Photo by Bastille Post

When recalling the moment of the incident, Grandma Wong said she still felt quite shocked these days. "My body feels like jelly at that time." She said that when she got back home today, the social worker kindly helped her tidy up all the food that had been kept for days in the refrigerator. When asked about her plan in the future, Grandma Wong said that she hoped to return to her old residence in Wang Chi House after the building could be unblocked, saying, "I want to go back and live in my own home."

The residents of Wang Chi House can be allowed to enter the building and take some personal belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

The residents of Wang Chi House can be allowed to enter the building and take some personal belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

More than a month after the Tai Po fire, a surviving pet cat was still found on January 1st. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stated on its social media that the society has been granted permission to place a few cat cages and cameras at Wang Yan House of Wang Fuk Court by Christmas. They were surprised to find that a cat stepped into the cage on Christmas Day. The staff of SPCA sent the cat for examination and found it was in good health with no major problems. As for now, its owners have taken it back home.

More than a month after the Tai Po fire, a surviving pet cat was still found on January 1st. Photo source: FB of SPCA

Photo source: FB of SPCA

Photo source: FB of SPCA

SPCA described it as a miracle, which has enhanced their determination to save other possibly surviving pets in Wang Fuk Court. The society said that the police have approved the placement of cat cages in the remaining five buildings of Wang Fuk Court next week, hoping to continue the search for the still-missing pet cats. SPCA previously stated that more than 500 animals were found in the fire, with over 300 surviving, while dozens of pets still couldn't be found yet.

The pet cat was successfully reunited with its owners. Photo source: FB of SPCA

The pet cat was successfully reunited with its owners. Photo source: FB of SPCA

SPCA said that the police have approved the placement of cat cages in the remaining five buildings of Wang Fuk Court next week. Photo source: FB of SPCA