United in Recovery: Families Band Together to Retrieve Treasured Belongings

Today (April 22) marks the third day that residents of Wang Sun House have been allowed to go upstairs to retrieve their belongings. Ms. Leung, 80 years old, who lives on the 30th floor, said she had tried practicing climbing the stairs beforehand, but after going up, her legs were "trembling" as she came back down. Given her condition, she decided not to go upstairs this time. "What if I can't get back down after going upstairs?" she said. Her son-in-law would go upstairs to collect her belongings, while she waited near Kwong Lai House downstairs.

Ms. Leung, Photo by Bastille Post

Later, she received a photo from her son-in-law confirming that he had successfully retrieved her passport, blanket, and quilt. Although Ms. Leung said, "It's all burned" and "Just take whatever hasn't been damaged", she couldn't hide her smile as she showed reporters the photos sent by her son-in-law. Asked what she regretted losing the most in the fire, she joked, "That would be the banknotes! I had prepared a lot for red packets."

Mr. Lam, Photo by Bastille Post

Another resident, Mr. Lam, who lives on the 24th floor, said he grew up in Wang Fuk Court with his sister and later studied abroad. He praised the government's arrangements and the assistance of the Civil Aid Service. His parents, both over 80, were not present this time. He joked that he was there "on behalf of his father" and "fulfilling his filial duty". He said he had a video call with his parents while upstairs. Since what his parents wanted had been retrieved, his family was quite satisfied. He noted that the condition of the unit was not too bad. "The goldware and wedding photos are still intact," he said, and the furniture was also unharmed. Compared to the unit next door, which had been burned to ashes, he felt relieved. "Maybe our unit is just located in a better direction," he added. He said that if possible, his parents would also want to go upstairs.

Mr. Mak, who returned to Wang Sun House yesterday (April 21) with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law to pack up his belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Mak, who returned to Wang Sun House yesterday (April 21) with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law to pack up his belongings, also received good news today. He had said yesterday that he had "been making suits for decades" and most hoped to find two suits that he had designed and sewn himself. This morning, his daughter, Miss Mak, told the reporter that she had successfully recovered her father's suits, adding that "the suits were the easiest to find".

The present condition of Mr. Mak's unit, Photo source: Offered by Mr. Mak

The present condition of Mr. Mak's unit, Photo source: Offered by Mr. Mak

Starting April 20, residents of Wang Fuk Court have been allowed to return to their flats in batches to retrieve their belongings. The first group to go upstairs for collection was residents of Wang Sun House. Today (April 22), the third day, residents continued to arrive in the morning with suitcases and backpacks.

Residents continued to arrive in the morning with suitcases and backpacks. Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Tang, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Tang, a resident of the 24th floor of Wang Sun House, said her top priority is to retrieve her beloved cat's ashes, wedding photos, and wedding ring. She said her cat lived to be 19 years old and gave birth to four kittens, all of which Ms. Tang delivered herself. During the interview, she appeared to have a very accepting attitude, noting that while she did not know the extent of the fire damage inside her unit, the doorway, which was not badly damaged, made her believe everything would not be so bad. She also pointed out that her cat's ashes were kept in a stainless steel box and a porcelain urn. "Stainless steel has a melting point of over 1,000 degrees Celsius, and the porcelain urn is said to be made from materials used in space." She is confident she will find her cat's ashes, even joking to the reporter, "Do you think it'll be okay?"

Fortunately, in the afternoon, Ms. Tang told the reporter she has successfully retrieved her cat's ashes.

The ashes of Ms. Tang's cat, Photo source: Offered by Ms. Tang's brother

Ms. Ho, Photo by Bastille Post

The daughter of Ms. Ho, Miss Wong, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Ho, who lives on the 25th floor, said her daughter's greatest wish was to retrieve her cello, which has accompanied her since childhood. When asked whether the three-hour time slot for belongings collection would be sufficient, Ms. Ho replied that she planned not to bring any large items downstairs. Her daughter, Miss Wong, added that besides the cello, she also has a piano. Still, she said she had been mentally prepared for either outcome: the piano intact or destroyed.

Mrs. Ng, Photo by Bastille Post

Mrs. Ng, 73 years old, who also lives on the 25th floor, said that since she was "in poor health and often got sick" and "couldn't sleep well", she would not go upstairs herself and would ask her family to do it for her. She mentioned that social workers had not provided her with photos of her unit. "I won't know the situation until I arrive there." Her biggest hope was to retrieve her children's photos and identification documents. "As for the rest, I hope I can take as much as I can." She added that if the damage was not too severe and there were items to salvage in her unit, she would try to go upstairs more times.

Ms. Leung, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Leung, a resident of the 27th floor, said that since she exercised regularly, she was not too worried about having to climb the stairs to her unit. Although she did not know the current condition of her unit, she had already decided what she wanted to take and believed the allotted time would be enough. What she wanted to retrieve most was the costumes she wore for grand opera performances.

Photo by Bastille Post