Brace yourself for conditions at fire-hit Wang Fuk Court, returning residents told
Elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with health issues among those advised against returned home after deadly fire last November
Hong Kong authorities have warned former residents of fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court to brace themselves for the conditions in their homes when they return next month to collect belongings, while saying that those with health issues, among others, should not enter the buildings.
The government also provided residents with psychological assessment questionnaires to help them decide whether to return home as part of an operation starting on April 20, according to notices seen by the South China Morning Post on Sunday.
Under the arrangement, residents will be able to return on select dates based on which housing block they lived in.
The notice said the conditions inside the buildings were “difficult”, explaining that water and flushing water supplies had been suspended, and some locations showed signs of possible decaying organic matter and bacterial growth.
“We do not advise [elderly people], pregnant women, children, primary school students, residents with disabilities or people with poor health, especially those with heart diseases or respiratory diseases, to return home, particularly flats on higher floors,” the document read.
Authorities will provide each resident with a safety helmet, a flashlight, a surgical mask, work gloves and sanitary items, according to the notice.