More than 1,730 households get a single 3-hour visit during a 15-day staggered period
On Monday, 77 households became the first Wang Fuk Court residents to return to their flats in Wang Sun House to salvage remaining belongings, nearly five months after the deadly fire that claimed 168 lives and displaced over 4,000 people.
It marked the beginning of a 15-day period during which more than 1,730 households from the seven affected towers are allowed to revisit their units on a staggered basis.
With all elevators damaged, residents had to take the stairs and haul their possessions down on foot.
Among the returnees were a couple, named Gabby and Antonio, both in their forties. Gabby described the most unexpected discovery as a personal sketchbook with the word “family” drawn on one page.
She plans to have the drawing framed and displayed once they settle into a new home. Her husband retrieved one of their wedding rings from their bedroom using a metal detector.
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They recalled that the stairwell structure was “undamaged and steady”, but the space still carried a charred smell, with soot coating the walls. They also said that the upper floors could pose challenges for elderly residents.
Up to four individuals per household were permitted to enter during the two sessions daily — from 9 am to 1 pm, or from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Each family is given three hours per visit.
All visitors are required to wear the provided helmets and gloves. Authorities also supply flashlights, and kits containing wet wipes and cooling patches to help combat the heat.
A similar arrangement in December allowed residents of Wang Chi House, the only block unaffected by the blaze, to return.
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At the media briefing closing Monday’s operation, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing said 264 residents from 77 households visited their homes on the 10th floor and below, with an average stay of one hour and 44 minutes.
Among them, 14 households, or 27 residents, went upstairs more than once.
Free shuttle buses were arranged, and taxis were permitted to enter a police cordon to pick up residents.
Households in Wang Sun House from the 11th floor and above are scheduled to return in batches today and Wednesday.
Cheuk said that more than 1,000 government personnel were on site to assist, including 500 officers from the police force, auxiliary aid services, and fire and medical units, as well as 260 from the Home Affairs Department and its district care teams. Officials from social welfare, housing and other departments were also present.
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Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the authorities had prepared for potential emotional and physical challenges during the visits. Support teams are accompanying residents throughout, with personnel on standby to address any physical exhaustion or psychological distress.
‘Hard climb’
During Monday’s operation, an elderly woman experienced shortness of breath while going downstairs and was taken to hospital. She was later discharged, said Cheuk.
A 68-year-old resident surnamed Kwan, who lived on the 31st — and top — floor of Wang Tao House, said he is preparing for a “hard climb” scheduled for April 28.
He visited the site on Monday to familiarize himself with the procedures and said he has been practicing stair climbing. “I can now manage nine floors in one go,” he said, “but then I need a short breather”.
Kwan added he hopes to reclaim a few items of “sentimental value … not least a photo of my wife and me”.
Another resident surnamed Lee, who lived in a flat around the 20th floor of Wang Yan House with his wife, is preparing to return on Thursday.
He said that several nonprofit organizations that previously offered stair-hauling services had recently canceled their offerings. Lee appealed for more aid from both the authorities and private groups.
The volunteer group Aidvengers Federation had planned to loan “robotic leg” exoskeletons to aid walking and stair climbing, but halted testing last week, citing safety concerns and inadequate testing.
During the 15-day window, about 1,670 households, or 97 percent of those affected, are scheduled to return home. For those who chose not to return — including 47 households that are reluctant to climb stairs, and fewer than 10 households that cited unsuitable timing — the authorities have promised to make rearrangements.
Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com
