Today, residents of Wang Yan House and Wang Cheong House successively returned to their units to retrieve belongings. Mr. Lau, who lives on the 20th floor of Wang Cheong House, said he had escaped from that floor on the day of the fire with 7.5% burns. His father also lives in Wang Fuk Court, but neither of them had received any photos showing the condition inside. As for today, he prepared several large cardboard boxes to pack his belongings.
Mr. Lau, Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Lau said the most difficult thing for him was climbing the stairs. Though his physical recovery was progressing well, he simply did not want to experience that pain again. He planed to first check for any missing items in his unit, then retrieve the property deed and photos of sentimental value. Returning to his unit today, Mr. Lau said he also needed to help his father and sister, who live in Wang Yan House to retrieve their belongings. As for them, they also want to retrieve the property deed and family photos most.
Some residents prepared a large cardboard box to pack their belongings. Photo by Bastille Post
A resident on the first floor of Wang Yan House, who declined to be named, said retrieving his bicycle and two bags of helmets and other cycling equipment was his priority this time. He said that, during his retrieval, the Civil Aid Service and the police assisted him. Although the gate of his unit showed signs of being burned, the damage was fortunately limited to the entrance, and the interior of the unit remained in good condition. However, he said he had seen other units that were completely devastated — "all in ruins, nothing left intact."
The resident on the first floor of Wang Yan House, who declined to be named, Photo by Bastille Post
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
