Bastille's Follow-up Report on the Tai Po Fire up to Now

The residents of Wang Chi House in Wang Fuk Court have continued to return home to collect their belongings. Ms Leung, who lives in Wang Chi House, said she came back to take important documents and necessary supplies. She pointed out that the government has arranged for her to return after three or four weeks. Currently, all the units of Wang Chi House have water and electricity, and the elevators are operating normally. However, the floor is wet. Ms Leung also mentioned that apart from the door, there is no damage to her house for the time being.

The residents of Wang Chi House in Wang Fuk Court have continued to return home to collect their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

Ms Leung, Photo by Bastille Post

The 73-year-old man, Mr Lam, has lived in Wang Shing House of Wang Fuk Court for over 40 years. In his eyes, the main cause of the fire disaster was the malfunction of the fire protection system, while the biggest problem was the management company's operations. Additionally, he hoped that the government could help to provide housing assistance to the affected residents, "At least I can have a place to settle down." said Mr Lam. He also hoped that he could be resettled to another place away from the area near Wang Fuk Court since returning here would bring psychological trauma to him. At present, He has stayed temporarily at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Mong Kok for about two weeks. After that, he will need to find volunteers or social workers to follow up on subsequent matters. "Although staying in Mong Kok is convenient, it cannot be a forever solution." he said.

Mr Lam, Photo by Bastille Post

Emmanuel Serna, a French journalist who has lived in Hong Kong for over a decade, said that it was very moving to see volunteers come to the site of the fire and reach out a helping hand to the affected residents. When he saw the fire disaster on TV, he had mixed feelings: "I think it's very sad. Many people are suffering. A lot of people died. They have lost everything, so it's very sad."

Emmanuel Serna, 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