appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Kristen Cheung

Two victims of the Wang Fuk Court inferno dug through the ashes of their homes, only to each discover about HK$100,000 (US$12,800) in charred banknotes, just two of many such finds as residents returned to the fire-damaged Hong Kong estate on Thursday.
On the same day, several local storage companies offered free services to affected residents as a show of compassion and solidarity.
Thursday marked the second day that residents of Wang Tai House, one of the seven blocks severely damaged in last November’s fire at the Tai Po estate, could visit their flats to collect their belongings as part of a government scheme.
Among those making the trip was a resident surnamed Chu, who said her home had been largely destroyed in the fire.
Chu said that Civil Aid Service volunteers had helped her pry open a safe containing HK$100,000 in cash inherited from her father, only to find the notes were completely charred.
Chu said she was uncertain whether the banks would be able to replace them.
“My husband and I are trying to stay strong in the face of our home’s devastation, but our daughter is still overwhelmed,” she said.




Chu said her family had lived in the flat for more than 30 years, adding that her daughter was born there.
After spending 30 minutes packing, she retrieved several photo albums and took pictures of every corner of her home and all her family portraits.
Feeling helpless about the future, Chu said she had only learned of the resettlement arrangements through the media and hoped to discuss the next steps with her neighbours.
The fire engulfed seven of the estate’s eight blocks and raged for about 43 hours, resulting in the deaths of 168 people and nearly 5,000 more being displaced.
Wang Tai House suffered the greatest number of casualties among the seven blocks, with 82 fatalities recorded in the tower.
Five months after the tragedy, authorities have gradually allowed residents of the seven fire-damaged towers to return to their flats for a limited period. The scheme’s time slots are organised according to each block.
On Thursday, Mrs Ho, a former Hospital Authority employee and a resident of a seventh-floor flat, found a collection of charred cash and other belongings during her visit.
“I had to dig with my own hands like an archaeologist,” she said, showing reporters more than HK$100,000 in charred banknotes.

She carefully unpacked the other items to avoid causing them further damage, bringing out camera parts, home keys and dozens of pairs of surgical scissors she had received during a Nurses’ Day celebration.
Ho said that while her safe deposit box key was damaged in the fire, her bank had already provided her with a replacement.
Mr and Mrs Chu, a couple who lived in a middle-floor flat, said their newly bought home was gutted by the blaze.
The pair managed to retrieve several valuables, including a Christian Dior scarf that Mrs Chu had previously bought herself as a gift.
Mr Chu criticised the government’s resettlement efforts, saying that the measures restricted residents’ choices.
“The government is treating us like parents telling their children which toys they can have,” he said. “We cannot freely choose [a resettlement plan], but are forced to select from a limited set of options.”
The recovery efforts have also seen public and private organisations offering a helping hand to residents, with Yan Chai Hospital pledging a monthly HK$1,000 storage subsidy for each affected household for one year.
Several storage companies also offered free services for one year, with staff stationed at the Kwong Fuk Estate market from April 23 to May 4.
The companies also said that discounts would be offered to residents who needed to extend the services.

Susan Liu, a manager at FedStorage, said the company was providing storage rooms ranging from 12 to 27 sq ft. She added that residents would have 24-hour access to the units and would be offered two free rounds of transport support.
Ceci Leung, a sales manager at Spacebox, said the company had provided 15 extra-large storage boxes and bags at its facility in Kwai Hing, with an entire 4,000 sq ft floor reserved for Wang Fuk Court residents.
The company is also offering door-to-door moving services for 12 transport trips, which can be booked 24 hours in advance via its mobile app, with items to be delivered back to residents’ new homes.
“We want residents to deal with their emotions first before they make any decisions on how to handle their belongings,” Leung said.
The company said it had received more than 100 inquiries so far. It also noted one case where a resident’s belongings had been saved because the items were moved into storage before the fire broke out.


Tai Po fire: tendering system can’t stop firms manipulating market, inquiry hears

Wang Fuk Court resident finds charred HK$100,000 inheritance after opening safe

Tai Po fire probe: URA’s Smart Tender system creates ‘false sense of security’ - as it happened

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Several residents have found charred banknotes after searching their flats at the fire-ravaged estate. Photo: Kristen Cheung

The remains of Mrs Ho’s safe deposit box. Photo: Kristen Cheung

Residents and their companions return to their flats to recover their belongings. Photo: Elson Li

Sisters aim for fresh start after ‘saying goodbye’ to ruined Wang Fuk Court flat

Residents of Wang Tai House and Wang Kin House return to their flats to salvage their belongings. Photo: Elson Li

A resident of Wang Tai House takes pictures. Photo: Elson Li

A resident named Ng says he is hoping to retrieve some of his furniture. Photo: Handout

Warner Cheuk (right) says authorities are prepared to make “alternative arrangements” to ensure all residents have a fair chance to retrieve their belongings. Photo: Elson Li

Challenges ahead for Wang Fuk Court homeowners who reject buy-back offer

An aerial view of Wang Fuk Court, which was severely damaged during the Tai Po fire. Photo: Sam Tsang

Workers remove scaffolding at Wang Chi House, the only block that was not damaged during the catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court last November. Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Society

Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme


Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme.


Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong society

Wang Fuk Court resident finds charred HK$100,000 inheritance after opening safe

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme

Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme