Wang Sun House residents return to fire-ravaged homes, clutching hope amid ashes
發佈日期: 2026-04-21 20:09
TVB News
Today, it's the turn of mid-floor residents of Wang Sun House to return to their fire-ravaged flats to retrieve what remains of their former homes at Wang Fuk Court.
Chief Executive John Lee says adjustments will be made to their home-returning arrangements if needed.
Mr. Tam used to live on the 17th floor of Wang Sun House. To make the trip back to his former home slightly easier, he spent more than 5,000 dollars on an exoskeleton device to help climb the stairs. And he came prepared with a shovel.
Fighting back tears, Mr. Tam says he's a bit scared as most of his belongings have probably burned to ashes.
While mentally prepared to have little to salvage amid the charred ruins, he's still taken aback by the sight in the unit -- now a gutted shell of a home that once was.
The washing machine, also left in shambles.
Mr. Tam eventually recovered some gold jewellery and even a modest amount of cash.
Those allowed to return today carried everything they could, all in the hope of salvaging one more piece of memory.
They include this photography aficionado.
Having lost 600 to 700 thousand dollars worth of equipment, this resident says though some lenses have turned into shards they are now keepsakes.
Choking back tears, Mr. Wan, who had grown up in the neighbourhood, said if he had not lived there, he might never have known what it feels like to watch one's home burn to nothing, and to lose someone you love.
Another resident Keung wants to thank his neighbours who alerted his family of the blaze, and effectively saved their lives.
Not everyone was able to make the climb through the high-rise residential building, including the seniors.
This resident Mr. Cheung says his granny insists on coming with them.
Having to wait downstairs, she later learnt that their unit was not as badly scorched as expected, with some family photos retrieved.
Mr. Cheung says three hours is too short, especially for some family members of those who perished to bid a proper farewell to their former home -- and the deceased. He hopes the government can extend the three-hour visit.
The initial three-day window for Wang Sun House residents to recover their belongings will conclude this Wednesday. The second phase will begin this Thursday, covering three more buildings, including the more severely damaged Wang Cheong House. Wang Tai House, Wang Kin House and Wang Shing House will be the last to reopen.
Commenting on Day 1 of the arrangements, Chief Executive John Lee described the process as smooth and orderly.
Chief Executive JOHN LEE: "It was conducted with several important principles in mind, which include safety, orderliness and compassion. I was also very relieved to know that some members indeed got what they had been hoping to find, and some even got some surprises, which was reassuring."
He adds that adjustments will be made if the needs arise.
Chief Executive JOHN LEE: "First of all, making the area for people to put all their gears in a larger area, so that it will be less crowded and more convenient. The second thing: We will put up awnings in case it will be raining at some time."
Lee adds the government hopes to sum up Wang Fuk Court owners ' buyback choices by late-August.
