‘Heavy’ hearts as residents of Wang Fuk Court’s only spared block return again
Lifts put back into service for first time after fire as residents arrive with suitcases, trolleys and boxes on second visit to retrieve belongings
Residents of the only block left largely unscathed by a deadly fire in Hong Kong last year arrived with large suitcases, trolleys and cardboard boxes as they returned home for a second time to collect their belongings, including refrigerators and washing machines.
Lifts in the block were put back into service for the first time since the November 26 fire engulfed seven of the eight blocks in Wang Fuk Court, killing 168 people and displacing nearly 5,000.
During the three-hour session, residents were seen moving heavy appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and bicycles into the courtyard at Tai Po Baptist Public School, before loading them onto moving trucks.
A woman surnamed Sin, who returned to Wang Chi House in the afternoon with her mother and sister, said they had only managed to gather winter clothing and valuables when they returned to their flat in December and hoped to retrieve other appliances such as their washing machine this time.
Sin, who said she had lived on the first floor of the building since birth, said that this should not be the last time Wang Chi House residents were allowed to return home.
“We have not sold our flat yet; it still belongs to us,” she said.