No Kettle, Just a Doorplate: Injured Wang Fuk Resident's Bittersweet Farewell After Failing to Recover Late Father's 40-Year Belonging

Mr. Kwok, a resident on the 7th floor of Wang Cheong House, went upstairs this morning with three friends, leaning on a cane, hoping to retrieve an old kettle his late father had used for thirty or forty years. Though he didn't find the kettle, he did discover an old clock with a carousel base that was still ticking. Before leaving, he removed the "702" doorplate as a final farewell. "It's time to let the past go," he said.

The "702" doorplate Mr. Kwok took with him, Photo by Bastille Post

After three hours of belongings retrieval, Mr. Kwok told reporters on site that the damage was less severe than expected — mainly a burned-out toilet and blackened walls. What moved him most was that, despite the darkness and dust, the moment he stepped inside, he subconsciously put down his cane and walked around using only muscle memory, holding onto the walls. "It felt like coming back home," he said. "Very relaxing, even without electricity."

Mr. Kwok accepted the interview on site. Photo by Bastille Post

Though he didn't find the kettle he had been looking for, Mr. Kwok discovered another treasure — an old clock with a carousel base. Amazingly, six months after the fire, it was still ticking. He stood transfixed for a long moment, watching the clock, and ultimately decided to take this "moving memory" with him. He also took his father's glass ashtray that he often used before — a simple object, now his only connection to the father he had lost.

The interior condition of Mr. Kwok's unit, Photo source: Offered by Mr. Kwok

Mr. Kwok said that the three-hour retrieval process was, in fact, a long farewell. Although his father had passed away last March before the fire, the sudden blaze sealed those memories away for half a year. Given the current state of the unit, he anticipated that he would not return a second time. "It's about time to let the past go," he said. Before leaving, he performed a deeply ceremonial act — personally removing the blackened "702" doorplate and taking it with him. Then, softly speaking to the empty unit, he whispered, "Goodbye, 702."

Mr. Kwok, Photo by Bastille Post

Having injured his foot in early April, Mr. Kwok said that he had previously communicated with social workers and hoped to go upstairs in person. Although there were many procedures to follow, he still wanted to handle it himself and did not want to miss any opportunity to say goodbye to his previous home. He especially thanked his three friends for providing material and physical support throughout the process, including preparing helmets and lights, and helping him on the stairs. With the cooperation of his friends and the staff on site, Mr. Kwok finally fulfilled his wish.

Mr. Tse, who went to Wang Yan House to retrieve belongings, said he was a friend of the homeowner and had been asked to collect items on his behalf. He brought his own handcart and even passed some belongings to neighbors. He called the process a "race against time" — balancing stamina, the sheer volume of items, and the time left. "You have to keep asking yourself: can I even get this thing downstairs?" he said.

Mr. Tse, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Tse pointed out that three hours were "very tense" in the debris-filled environment. Without a companion to help, collecting items as desired would have been nearly impossible.

The handcart Mr. Tse brought with him today, Photo by Bastille Post

The reporter observed several support service stations at Kwong Fuk Market offering follow-up assistance to residents, including emotional support booths, a courier service area, and a temporary storage zone. Several mini-storage companies were also on-site, providing free rental and transport services.

Photo by Bastille Post

In a corner of the market corridor, rows of plastic-wrapped suitcases and carts stood neatly arranged, waiting for residents to collect them.

Photo by Bastille Post