More Wang Fuk Court residents return to search for items in fire-ravaged homes
On second day of residents’ return to their devastated homes, some bid emotional farewell while others say three hours is insufficient time for packing
Severe damage to flats in the Tai Po housing estate distressed some residents while a woman expressed relief after finding items belonging to her father who had suffered a mental illness from the trauma of last November’s deadly blaze.
Those who lived on the middle floors of the estate’s Wang Sun House began returning home on Tuesday, with opinions divided over whether the three hours they were given was enough time to pack and bid farewell to their homes.
About 6,000 residents have registered with the government to make trips to their former homes to pick up belongings, with members of 77 households from the 11th to 20th floors of Wang Sun House going up on Tuesday.
Throughout the day, 11 requests were made for police assistance over the suspected loss of property, including cameras, jewellery and gold items. Residents also reported two cases of physical discomfort while two others sought psychological counselling services.
A 17th-floor resident surnamed Tam, 55, said he walked up the stairs with the help of an exoskeleton assistive device he bought from a mainland Chinese company.