Wang Fuk Residents Return Home in Batches Again, Retrieving Pieces of Their Past

The government has arranged for residents of Wang Chi House, who were not directly affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court, to return to their units in batches again over five days, starting this Wednesday (May 13). Each allocated unit may be entered by up to four people at a time, with each visit lasting up to three hours. During this period, residents are allowed to go up and down the building multiple times.

The government has arranged for residents of Wang Chi House, who were not directly affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court, to return to their units in batches again over five days, starting this Wednesday (May 13). Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Lam, who has lived in Wang Chi House for over 30 years, said his parents are too elderly to go upstairs, so he brought a large suitcase to pack their belongings. "This time, I've retrieved things that hold sentimental value, like photo albums. To be honest, I'm not sure when I'll be able to come back again in the coming days to retrieve more." He said he has felt quite depressed these days, after all, he had lived here for many years, and many of his neighbors have already left after the fire. His parents didn't express any particular thoughts; they just wanted to go home. Mr. Lam said he would livestream to his parents while packing upstairs and ask them if they needed anything.

Mr. Lam, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Lam, who lives on the sixth floor of Wang Chi House, said she hurried to retrieve her work-related awards this time. "As a driver, I've collected many safety awards and service awards. All the awards I could achieve in 26 years have been obtained." She had hoped to take everything from her home that she had accumulated over decades, but couldn't finish. "The new appliances from the renovation hold so many memories. I wanted to take the furniture too." She said if given another chance, she would hire a moving company to assist her.

Ms. Lam, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Lam said she hopes that all Wang Fuk residents can soon be arranged with a new place to settle in, as they are currently living in interim housing. "Since the government has the plan, it would be best to arrange it quickly," she said. As a retiree, she had once hoped to enjoy her retirement life in the renovated unit; however, the fire took that wish away. She now has to rebuild her life for the future. When asked about the retrieval arrangement, Ms. Lam said the government has done well, with social workers, police, and volunteers all willing to lend a hand.

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

In its report, the Independent Committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire has put forward a series of immediate recommendations within the terms of reference of the various government departments. After analysis, the committee determined that the rapid spread of the fire at Wang Fuk Court was critically due to the use of combustible materials in temporary works, which created a continuous vertical fuel source. Evidence also showed that highly flammable foam boards were a key factor enabling the fire to spread between different units.

The committee suggested that the use of combustible materials, such as foam boards, on windows and external walls must be immediately prohibited. Photo source: reference image

In view of this, the committee has made multiple immediate recommendations. First, the use of combustible temporary materials, including foam boards, non-fire-retardant safety nets and plastic canvasses, must be immediately prohibited in light wells or related adjacent areas. Second, the storage of flammable temporary materials, wooden boards, or construction scaffolding materials above ground-floor exits must be immediately prohibited. In addition, the use of combustible materials, such as foam boards, on windows and external walls must be immediately prohibited.

The report also recommends an immediate prohibition on the creation of access openings in staircases and lift lobbies. If such openings cannot be avoided, then in accordance with the Buildings Department's circular letter of March this year, any opening in an escape staircase must be protected by a temporary fire barrier, and that barrier must have fire resistance performance equivalent to that of the original fire barrier. Meanwhile, all windows along escape routes must be fitted with fire-rated glass or fire-resistant glass meeting specified standards.

Wang Fuk Court. Photo source: reference image

The committee also noted that some older buildings retain staircase windows with upper sections that can be opened for ventilation, while lift lobbies also have openable windows. The committee recommends that, where the Government identifies similar designs, temporary warnings should be issued to ensure that these windows are kept closed; in the longer term, a review should be conducted to determine whether such designs should be replaced by sealed fire-rated windows.

In addition, the report recommends that, for large-scale maintenance involving more than one building, all external wall repairs must be carried out in phases.