Residents return to fire-ravaged Tai Po estate in Hong Kong to salvage belongings
First residents of Wang Sun House allowed three-hour packing session to retrieve cherished items including bikes, figurines and paintings
Quick Look
- Residents of Wang Sun House at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po returned for the first time since a devastating fire ripped through the estate.
- A 40-year-old resident named Wong described his seventh-floor flat as badly burnt with inches of ash covering the floor, comparing it to charcoal after a barbecue.
- Armed with a small shovel, Wong searched for his toy poodle Dor Dor to give it a proper goodbye, having lost the pet in the blaze.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, forcing residents to evacuate. This is the first time residents have been allowed to return to assess the damage and collect belongings.
Bikes, figurines, paintings and a safe are among cherished items rescued from the ashes of Wang Fuk Court, as residents begin returning under close monitoring by Hong Kong government staff. Wang Sun House residents, the first in the fire-ravaged Tai Po estate to return home for a three-hour packing session, told the South China Morning Post on Monday that the building's interior was blackened and ash was abundant in scorched flats. A 40-year-old resident surnamed Wong said his seventh-floor flat in Wang Sun House was badly burnt, with the floor covered in inches of ash “like charcoal after a barbecue”. While the railings in the stairwell remained intact, Wong described a putrid, burnt stench and a stifling feeling as he ascended while wearing a mask. Armed with a small shovel, Wong said he hoped to find the remains of his toy poodle, Dor Dor, to give it a proper goodbye. “I tried looking around its favourite spots in the flat, like the living room or the bedroom,” he said.
Open Questions
- What caused the fire?
- Were there any human casualties?
- How many units were affected?
- Will residents be permanently displaced?
