An elderly survivor of the fatal fire at Tai Po has praised firefighters who rescued him from the burning property and recovered a victim’s body, telling a public inquiry into the blaze that the city should be “proud” of them.
Sin Sin-hing, an 85-year-old resident of Wang Fuk Court, testified on Thursday about her rescue from the massive fire last November that killed 168 people. including a fire extinguisher. Judge David Lok, chairman of an independent committee presiding over the hearings, called her story “remarkable” and a source of “positive energy in the midst of such a tragic event”.
Sin’s story was first reported from The Witness newspaper. She testified during Thursday’s hearing that, as smoke gradually crept into her 14th-floor apartment, she used fans to blow the smoke out.
She recalled “calling 999 (the emergency line) 10 or eight times”, before the fire brigade arrived. “I was luckier than the previous lady as I passed every time,” she said in Cantonese.
Sin was referring to Wong Ka-yuen, the first Wang Fuk Court resident to alert authorities to the fire, who said she received a busy signal on her first attempt to call 999.
“Pride of Hong Kong”
Sin, who lived on the 14th floor of Wang Tai House, said she once lost her temper with a service officer on the phone due to stress, but later, a police officer with a soothing voice told her to pay attention to a “beep” sound outside.
When four firefighters eventually arrived at her apartment, they asked her why the room was clear of smoke and gave her a “well done” after she told them her method, Sin recalled.
She also said firefighters told her they had to evacuate on foot and that there was a “huge doll” lying on the 12th floor – only later did she realize they were referring to the body of a victim.
As they reached the 12th floor, firefighters told her it was safe, while two of them stopped to hold the body, she said.
“I am still very touched and I think Hong Kong should be proud to have such professional firefighters,” she said.
“Although I may not live long, I will remember this episode as long as I live. They (firefighters) are the pride of Hong Kong.”
In response, Lok told the eight-year-old that she was also the pride of Hong Kong for her creative method of self-help in such a dangerous situation.
“Your testimony will not only help us, but also bring positive energy to Hong Kong, despite this being such a tragedy. I think you are extraordinary,” he said.
Thursday’s hearing also heard testimony from pensioner George Cheung, also a resident of Wang Tai House, who, along with his wife, sheltered a disabled neighbor until firefighters rescued them.
Cheung recalled falling into despair as the trio waited for hours in a dark apartment with thick smoke and only a single bucket of water.
When firefighters finally arrived, he thought he “saw five to six angels with halos on their heads,” said Cheung, a Christian. “Later I realized those were the headlights on their helmets.”
Cigarette packs, workers smoking
The pensioner also said he had complained about the massive scale of the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court and the risk of installing combustible foam boards in the windows.
He told the hearing that he had seen empty cigarette packs on the bamboo scaffolding outside his apartment, but Prestige Construction & Engineering, the main contractor for the renovation, dismissed his complaint.
The tragedy had traumatized him and his wife, who were both unable to continue their part-time jobs after the fire, he said, adding that he was seeing a psychiatrist.
But he also expressed a desire for residents of Wang Fuk Court to “move through” the challenges ahead and for the committee to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
Three residents of Wang Cheong House recalled seeing workers smoking in the residential house during the renovation. The inquest previously heard that an investigative task force concluded that smoking was the “most likely” cause of the fire.
Elsie Ng said she smelled cigarette smoke after workers began working on the scaffolding outside her flat, while Wong – who called 999 – recalled a similar experience.
Joe Chan said he saw workers smoking on the job twice, including once on the ground. Chan did not specify the location of the second alleged incident.
Phyllis Lo, whose mother died in the fire, also testified Thursday. She said she hoped the public inquiry would find out why the fire spread so quickly and hold those responsible accountable.
“Many residents have blamed themselves for not doing enough during the fire,” she said. “Perhaps the government departments and construction firms involved could do more now?”
The hearing resumes on Monday.
