Injured Wang Fuk Resident Insists on Climbing Stairs on Crutches, Hoping to Retrieve Late Father's Old Kettle

Today (April 24) marks the second day of the second phase for residents of Wang Fuk Estate to return to their units to retrieve their belongings. Mr. Kwok, a resident of the 7th floor of Wang Cheong House, said that despite a foot injury, he insisted on going upstairs to collect his belongings. What he wanted most to retrieve was a kettle that his late father had used for thirty or forty years — a simple object that holds many precious memories of his father.

Mr. Kwok, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Kwok has lived on and off at Wang Fuk Court for twenty to thirty years. After his father passed away, he had been planning to move back home following the completion of major renovations. But now that the fierce fire has destroyed his home, he admitted that he "really feels he has to give the place up." What saddened him most was losing the neighborhood and environment he had known since childhood. He recalled that as a child, he often went to the park downstairs with a group of neighbors' children to play together. "From now on, I could never see such a lovely place again. It feels like something is missing," he said.

Mr. Kwok was ready to walk up to the seventh floor on crutches. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Kwok said he has not yet received a photo of his unit from social workers and could not confirm whether he would be allowed to go upstairs once more. He noted that authorities have responded that they were "actively arranging it, and it is likely possible, but not guaranteed." Because of the possibility, he did not want to lose the chance. "Even though my foot is injured, I still want to go up the stairs by myself to take a look," he said. He expressed confidence that he could successfully walk up to the seventh floor on crutches.

Many Wang Fuk residents came to retrieve their belongings despite the rain. Photo by Bastille Post

The related supportive personnel at the scene, Photo by Bastille Post

The entrance for residents' registration, Photo by Bastille Post

Wang Yan House, 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