Hong Kong residents came together over weekends to mourn victims, honor rescuers, and take a step toward healing as a makeshift memorial site for the fire victims was about to be closed nearly two weeks after the deadly building blaze in Tai Po area.
For days, the site had become the focal point of the city's grief, a spontaneous memorial beside the charred residential blocks where families, friends and neighbors gathered to pay their respects to those lost their lives in the huge fire that engulfed seven buildings on Nov 26 in Tai Po.
The blaze had claimed 159 lives by 14:00 on Dec 4, with 31 people still missing, the Hong Kong Police Force said. A total of 140 bodies had been identified, said the police, adding that the victims were aged between 1 and 97 years old.
"I've worked here nearly 30 years. My friend is gone. We were both helpers, working hard to send money home. She had a five-year-old child. Both died in the fire. But we're supporting her family and donating what we can," said Imelda, a domestic helper from Indonesia.
Flowers, handwritten messages, toys and paper cranes filled the space, forming a collective outpouring of sorrow. Many tributes were dedicated to 37-year-old Ho, a firefighter who died in line of duty.
More than 700 firefighters were deployed to the scene in what residents described as a swift and determined rescue effort.
"As someone in construction, I knew how fast fire spreads in residential blocks. The response was timely - firefighters, police, all departments did their best. I want to thank the firefighters; they worked more than 40 hours straight," said a resident.
The Civil Aid Service, police and volunteers helped keep the site in good order and accessible, ensuring a calm environment for those seeking to grieve.
Volunteers said the tributes - flowers, notes and paper offerings - will be passed to social service and community groups rather than discarded.
"We don't want mourning to linger in a way that reopens wounds. Paper items will go to funeral services, flowers handled by the environmental authority, and notes to welfare groups. Everything has been peaceful - everyone is working together to create a safe space and is offering mental support," said Fofo, a volunteer.
Amid the sadness, many spoke of witnessing remarkable community solidarity.
"This is heartbreaking, but I saw so many caring residents donating supplies, doing whatever they could for those who lost their homes. Some people cooked thousands of meals overnight. People from other cities like Guangzhou, Beijing and Shenzhen also rallied support. It made me realize, as Chinese people, we are all connected. When someone suffers, everyone comes to help," said Coman Tse, a university student.
As the memorial site would return to its usual role as a neighborhood park, volunteers said the compassion shown over the past days would remain a reminder of a community that faced up to loss together, honored the lives taken, embarking on a slow process of healing.
People mourn victims of Hong Kong building fire at public park
