'Printed Photos Carry a Generation’s Treasured Memories': Wang Fuk Residents Hope to Retrieve Pictures of Late Parents

Today (April 23) marked the first day of the second phase of the batch-by-batch belongings collection for residents of Wang Fuk Court. Mrs. Lee, a resident of the 8th floor of Wang Yan House, said she had lived there since she got married. Her husband and two nephews accompanied an elderly relative to return to the unit to retrieve belongings, while she waited alone downstairs.

Residents of Wang Yan House began to return to their units to retrieve their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

Mrs. Lee described her unit as relatively fortunate, at least spared from being burned to ashes. She said the government should give residents more opportunities to retrieve their belongings if conditions are safe. While she did not understand why there were so many restrictions, she acknowledged that no one wanted to see any dangers occur. She believed the elderly members of her family had a greater need to retrieve their belongings, since the grandmother's husband had passed away, and many of his personal effects remain in the flat. Mrs. Lee said the grandmother hoped at least to recover the couple's photos as a way to remember the past. She also said the support from the government and social workers had been acceptable, adding that the social workers were kind, regularly checked on her family, and kept them updated on the latest developments.

Mrs. Lee, Photo by Bastille Post

As for herself, Mrs. Lee said she most wanted to retrieve photos. Though some of them have been digitized, she believed there is a difference between electronic and physical copies, since her generation did not initially have digital cameras, making physical photos extremely precious. Those printed photos capture memories of her and her loved ones. Though her parents have passed away, she still has family photos with them, including her wedding photos.

Throughout the period, Mrs. Lee has been standing where she could see her unit and waiting. She said that even though she cannot see the inside at present, the outside still holds memories. She called her unit the first home after marriage, where she lived comfortably. She did not know her neighbours' names but was familiar with their faces. Everyone would greet each other when going downstairs, making her feel the warmth of the estate.

Ms. Lau, Photo by Bastille Post

Another resident, Ms. Lau, living on the 9th floor of Wang Yan House, said she wanted to retrieve a magnet she had bought on a previous trip to put on her refrigerator. She has not received any photos of the current interior of her unit, but estimated that the magnet could still be recoverable. She was accompanied upstairs by her daughter today. She said the three-hour time limit might feel rushed and that she would pack as quickly as possible, taking only the important items. As for her, she hoped to go upstairs again later.

Mr. Cheung, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Cheung, a resident on the 4th floor of Wang Yan House, said he had lived in his unit since childhood for more than 40 years, making him feel like losing a family member after its damage in the fire. He said he wanted to retrieve some items of sentimental value and take one last look at every corner of his home. He said he did not yet know the internal condition of the unit, but a friend had taken photos from a distance and sent them to him. He believed his unit had not been too badly affected by the fire. He prepared two large backpacks today to carry as many belongings as possible.

Mr. Yip, a resident of Wang Tai House whose unit was severely damaged in the Tai Po fire, lost his wife in the blaze. According to Mr. Yip, his wife alerted neighbours to escape, saving five lives, but tragically did not survive. He said that when he goes upstairs to retrieve his belongings in the coming days, he will bring a bouquet of flowers in memory of his wife. "I would tell her to leave, not to stay here," he said. He noted there would be no other special memorial ceremony — that he would simply stare blankly at a spot in his unit.

Mr. Yip, Photo by Bastille Post

According to government arrangements, residents of Wang Tai House will not be able to collect their belongings until the middle of next week. Mr. Yip returned to Wang Fuk Court today to prepare, planning to go upstairs tomorrow (April 24) with his two sons and daughter-in-law to retrieve their belongings. His sons live on the 6th floor of Wang Cheong House. They have prepared backpacks and bags.

Some of the Wang Fuk residents returned to their units to retrieve their belongings today. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Yip said he was worried that three hours would not be enough. He also said he did not want to use the word "farewell," because he hoped to return to his own unit for living in the future. He believed that many units did not appear to be severely damaged, and the government could propose a win-win solution, allowing repairable units to be fixed so that residents could go home.

Residents prepared bags to pack their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post

In addition, Mr. Yip pointed out that the government spent four months and a significant amount of money dismantling scaffolding. He questioned why at least one elevator in each building had not been repaired during that period, so that elderly residents could return home more easily.

Mr. Yip, Photo by Bastille Post