‘Let me stay’: residents of block unscathed by Hong Kong fire hope to return
Residents arrived at Wang Chi House for last day of collecting belongings from their homes, with some hoping to remain in familiar district
Residents of Wang Chi House at blaze-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po arrived on Thursday for the second and final day of collecting belongings from their homes, with dozens packing light to make room for valuables and important documents.
Those returning on the second day had not been home since the fire broke out on Wednesday last week. The blaze lasted for 43 hours and killed at least 159 people, including a firefighter.
Wang Chi House was the sole tower block among the eight at Wang Fuk Court to remain unaffected by the inferno.
Some elderly residents who had owned flats there since the estate was built in 1983 told the Post that their roots were in Tai Po and that they would like to stay if allowed to.
Other long-term residents who had called the block home since childhood said they did not want to uproot their lives.