Ashes & Aftermath of Tai Po Fire: Wang Yan House residents make final visits
發佈日期: 2026-04-25 20:06
TVB News
Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po continued to return in batches to retrieve belongings at their fire-hit flats, with Wang Yan House reaching its final day of access.
Some residents expressed reluctance to part with their long-time neighbours.
For the third day, residents from Wang Cheong House and Wang Yan House headed back to their fire-ravaged flats to collect personal belongings.
Many carried suitcases, hiking backpacks and bags.
Some residents from the higher floors of Wang Yan House insisted on climbing more than 20 storeys, despite mobility issues.
One resident, Mr. Mak, said he came prepared with a walking stick and knee braces.
Having lived there for 43 years since his twenties, he described deep emotional attachment to the neighbourhood and how he had been unable to sleep in recent days.
The fire not only decimated cherished belongings but also fractured decades-long community ties.
Mrs. Mak said neighbours here had known each other for over 40 years, and the deep-rooted connections made it very hard to leave.
Wang Cheong House, where the fire first broke out, suffered some of the most severe damage and casualties.
Some residents brought flowers to mourn those perished in the blaze.
Those unable to go upstairs stayed in the cordoned-off area to bid farewell to their former abodes.
Mrs. Chan, a Wang Yan House resident, said she is not sure if she would have another chance to return.
She added that anxiety had been building as cleanup days approached, having dreamed about searching through personal belongings.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing also inspected the site.
Authorities earlier said they would provide additional psychological support to residents of Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House, which suffered the highest number of fatalities.
On Sunday, access will be arranged for residents of Wang Tao House, while Wang Cheong House residents will continue to be granted access until Tuesday.
