A survivor of the deadly Tai Po fire has called on the government to make better arrangements for residents to retrieve personal belongings and allow longer time to visit their homes.
Jason Kong, a resident of the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court and former member of the property owners’ corporation, said local media on Thursday that his family did not have enough time to search, gather and pack all of their personal belongings within the three hours allotted.
He spoke to reporters after returning to his Wang Yan House residence with his wife and son on Thursday morning.
Kong and his family were among the residents of Wang Yan House, along with those from Wang Cheong House, the block hardest hit by Wang Fuk Court, who were allowed into their units on Thursday.
Since it was dark inside, the family used torches as they searched, which made it more difficult to collect their belongings, he said.
Kong said the government should provide portable LED lights for residents. He also asked why the authorities did not repair some elevators in residential buildings to make it easier for elderly residents.
Ming Pao reported that many elderly homeowners couldn’t do because of the difficulty of climbing stairs.
After waiting for nearly five months, residents of Wang Fuk Court were allowed to return to their fire-ravaged homes to collect personal belongings in batches starting Monday until May 4.
A total of 168 people were killed in the fire that engulfed seven Wang Fuk Court residential towers in November. Wang Cheong House had the highest casualties, with 81 deaths.
Another resident of Wang Fuk Court, surnamed Lee, said InMedia on Monday that he felt as if he was “begging” the government to return to his home.
“I would really like to know, after I go back to my apartment, how can you evict me? What Hong Kong laws can you use? This is my house! Don’t I have the right to stay there to pack my things?” he said in Cantonese.
The government said in February that residents would only be able to enter their homes once for a maximum of three hours, sparking widespread criticism.
Warner Cheuk, deputy chief secretary for administration, later announced that the residents will be allowed to return to their homes more than once and to do multiple trips within the three hour slot.
600 families apply for second visits
Cheuk told local media on Thursday that the government had received requests from about 600 families applying for a second visit to their flats in Wang Fuk Court.
He said authorities would make arrangements for the second visits, but he did not give a timeline.
Because Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House sustained heavy damage, any family entering or leaving either building will be escorted by a police officer, Cheuk said.
Every family that visits housing with victims will be accompanied throughout the process by a clinical psychologist from the Department of Social Welfare and a social worker, he added.
