Ms. Ho, a resident of Wang Shing House, went upstairs with three friends to retrieve her belongings, taking out 21 bags. Nevertheless, she estimated she had only collected about one-third of her possessions. while the rest would have to wait until the next round.
Ms. Ho, Photo by Bastille Post
She said the overall damage to her unit was less severe than expected, but the intense heat from the fire downstairs had melted the floor, destroying all the plastic storage boxes that had been on it. "Actually, the unit itself wasn't in too bad condition, but because of the high temperature downstairs, the floor melted, and things got stuck together," she explained. A whole box of her Doraemon collectibles that had been placed on the floor was destroyed and beyond recovery.
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Ms. Ho, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Ho took out a few of the successfully retrieved Doraemon figurines from the bags during the interview to show the reporter. Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Ho's Doraemon collection, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Ho thanked the social workers, who accompanied her throughout the process and helped collect and document items. Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Liu, Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Liu, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Ho took out a few of the successfully retrieved Doraemon figurines from the bags during the interview to show the reporter. Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Ho has a deep affection for Doraemon. Her collection, mostly gifts from friends accumulated over many years, holds great sentimental value. With her friends' help in salvaging some of the items, she took out a few of the successfully retrieved Doraemon figurines from the bags during the interview to show the reporter, describing them as having "commemorative value" that money cannot measure. She also managed to retrieve her treasured vinyl records of Anita Mui and Danny Chan, which she had kept for years. Although some records were damaged and warped, the rest were still salvageable. However, given the large number, she could only take them out in the next phase of retrieval.
Ms. Ho's Doraemon collection, Photo by Bastille Post
She especially thanked the social workers, who accompanied her throughout the process and helped collect and document items. "The social workers were very kind. They helped me carry things and kept records the whole time. I'm very grateful," she said. The Civil Aid Service and the police also assisted her. Ms. Ho mentioned that some items were temporarily stored, and she would pick them up later.
Ms. Ho thanked the social workers, who accompanied her throughout the process and helped collect and document items. Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Liu, Photo by Bastille Post
Another resident of Wang Shing House, Mr. Liu, said his unit was left intact, almost frozen in time at the moment the fire broke out. "My brother's son's homework is still spread out on the table, and the bed is still as messy as ever," he recalled. Looking back, he said he missed the convenience and environment of Wang Fuk Court tremendously. "The bus stop was just a few steps away, there was a bike path nearby, the air was good, and the unit had a sea view," he said. With the building's scaffolding removed after the fire, he could once again see the sea view from his window today, but this time, his emotions were different from before.
Mr. Liu, Photo by Bastille Post
With only three hours allowed to retrieve his belongings, Mr. Liu chose to focus on retrieving family photo albums and precious mementos. He acknowledged that some neighbors still preferred to rebuild on the same site and were willing to wait even if it took nine or ten years. For himself, he felt a mix of disappointment and helplessness at being forced to leave the home he had lived in for over three decades. Still, he said he would try to look forward. "Since we cannot change what has already happened, the only thing to do is move forward," he said.
Today (May 3rd) marks the 14th day for Wang Fuk residents to return in batches to retrieve their belongings. Residents of Wang Shing House and Wang Tai House continued their turns to go upstairs to collect possessions.
Photo by Bastille Post
Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Wong, who lives on the 25th floor of Wong Tai House, went upstairs with his 70-year-old mother. He said they had been climbing stairs over the past few days to build up their stamina, hoping to make it slowly to the floor they live. He described his mother as having a deep attachment to the unit, having lived there for more than 40 years, and insisted on making the climb herself despite her age.
Mr. Wong, Photo by Bastille Post
Mr. Wong said his main goal was to retrieve family photos, items his father had left behind, and watches, though he worried they might already have been taken. "I was a bit nervous and didn't sleep too well in the past days," he admitted.
After finishing the retrieval, Mr. Wong said he had managed to collect most of the things that mattered to him, including photo albums, sentimental family keepsakes, and some cash. Having lived in Wang Fuk Court for over 40 years, he admitted to feeling reluctant when leaving his unit. "But everyone is safe after the fire; that alone is a blessing," he said.
Mr. Wong, Photo by Bastille Post
He noted that the climb with his mother took about 10 to 20 minutes, and the whole process went smoothly. He added that he had largely completed his retrieval and was still deciding whether to return. "We've taken most of the things. We'll see when the time comes."
Ms. Kwong, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Kwong, who lives on the 18th floor of Wang Shing House, bought her unit with her boyfriend a few years ago. Though they had already renovated the unit and gotten ready to get married, the fire forced them to postpone the wedding. She said her greatest hope was to find her diamond engagement ring, which she had left on a table and now feared might have been stolen. Ms. Kwong said the floor she lived on was less severely affected, and that her belongings might still be intact. She came prepared with large bags, backpacks, tape, pens, and newspapers, hoping to take away her most treasured possessions.
Ms. Kwong, Photo by Bastille Post
She admitted that she had already expected to feel emotional upon returning to her unit. "Previously, when you came home from work, the surroundings were all green, and there were plenty of parks. Now, when you walk in, it just turns into a ruin," she said. However, she also said that after such a long time, she had mentally prepared herself and felt calmer than in the early days. As for her wedding, there is still no decision on when it might take place. "Right now we have to deal with what's in front of us first," she said, adding that she would make plans once everything has settled down.
Ms Tam, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms. Tam, a resident of Wang Shing House, went upstairs with her three siblings to collect their belongings. She said conditions inside the unit were better than expected. "It wasn't as badly burned as we thought. We were lucky," she said. Given three hours to retrieve the items, she and her family completed in about an hour, successfully retrieving her rings, bracelets, family photos, and other keepsakes.
Ms. Tam's sister (left) and Ms. Tam (right), Photo by Bastille Post
Her younger sister, who accompanied her, explained that since the unit had already been scheduled for a major renovation, there were not many possessions inside. Consequently, they were unfazed by the damage. "We think only taking back what has sentimental value is enough." She added that the greatest value of returning was seeing the inner condition of the unit with her own eyes. When asked whether the family might one day return to live here, she admitted it was unlikely. Even if the site were rebuilt, she said, it would possibly take more than a decade. Her hope, instead, is to move into a new home as soon as possible. She called on the government to offer residents more choices in resettlement arrangements and expressed deep sympathy for those who lost family members in the fire. In her view, the loss for them is simply beyond repair.
