Mixed Emotions for Resident Helping His Son Retrieve Belongings: His Path Leads Past the Unit Where His Wife Perished in the Blaze

Mr. Yip previously lived in Wang Tai House. His wife tragically perished in the fire while trying to alert neighbors to escape. He was scheduled to return to his unit to retrieve belongings in the middle of next week. However, since his youngest son lives on the 6th floor of Wang Cheong House, he went up this morning with his two sons and daughter-in-law to retrieve belongings.

Mr. Yip, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Yip described his feelings as complex, as he would be passing by his former residence in Wang Tai House before heading to Wang Cheong House — a route he had frequently taken in the past. As for now, he was unsure of its current condition.

Mr. Yip said that they had planned how to divide the tasks of retrieving items. Based on photos showing that the damage to their unit was not severe, they anticipated recovering a considerable number of belongings. They had prepared backpacks and bags, aiming to retrieve everything they wanted within three hours. Their primary focus was on recovering certificates, documents, sons' medals, and the gold jewelry that his late wife had given to the daughter-in-law.

Mr. Yip, Photo by Bastille Post

However, he felt that the three-hour period arranged by the authorities was insufficient. For residents whose units were not severely damaged, there were actually many items that could be retrieved — almost like moving house. He hoped that more opportunities to retrieve belongings could be arranged in the future.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Residents are on their way to return to Wang Fuk Court. Photo by Bastille Post

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