Wang Fuk Court residents to visit their fire-damaged homes, concerned about limited time, lack of support 

Almost five months after the devastating fire that claimed 168 lives, residents of the seven damaged buildings at Wang Fuk Court have been granted a three-hour window — between Monday and May 4 — to return to their flats, retrieve remaining belongings, and say goodbye, perhaps for the last time.

Built in 1983, the now-charred estate with 1,984 units once housed about 4,000 residents. They are now displaced in transitional housing, hotel rooms, and youth hostels.

Many residents said they look forward to revisiting their homes, but called for more manpower and technological support. With elevators crippled by the fire, all visitors must climb up the buildings’ staircases — some on the 31st floor — and carry personal items down on foot.

Help needed

Yeung Suet-wan, a resident scheduled to return on Monday with her husband and two sons, believes her fifth-floor home was not directly affected by the fire. She hopes to retrieve as many belongings as possible — in particular, key documents such as the title deed, a safe, and some cookware collected from overseas travels.

Yeung has a chronic knee issue and her husband also has leg problems. “I can pack our things, and my sons can carry them downstairs,” she said. “But there is only so much they can manage. I hope the government can arrange assistance to help bring items down — even better if a van can take us back to Sheung Shui, where we are staying now.”

Each flat may be visited by up to four people, except for severely damaged units, which are limited to one or two visitors. Entry hours are from 9 am to 1 pm, and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm daily over the 15-day period.

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Over 1,000 government personnel will be on-site to provide assistance, but elderly residents, children, and those with health or mobility issues are advised not to attempt the climb.

Leung Ho-hin, who will return on May 2 with three family members, has prepared striped nylon bags and protective foam for valuables.

“We want to take as much as we can,” Leung said. “But aside from important documents, we also have electrical appliances. Some are fragile and need to be carried with both hands.”

Citing the rule requiring all members of each household to enter and leave together, he said, “It’s impossible to bring everything down in one go.”

Leung suggested the government organize a human chain to help residents pass items down floor by floor. “Each block has two stairways. If you arrange one person on every floor, that’s about 60 people per building,” he said. “It would take manpower, sure — but that doesn’t have to conflict with using resources efficiently.”

Leung added that the current arrangement places all responsibility on residents. “We haven’t sold our flat to the government yet. Regardless of the memories inside, we shouldn’t just be told, ‘Take what you can, and forget the rest.’ The government should at least be helping us.”

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has proposed a HK$6.8 billion ($868.5 million) cash buyout plan or “flat-for-flat” exchanges for affected homeowners.

Robots offer relief

Meanwhile, about 1.5 kilometers from Wang Fuk Court, a local volunteer group offered residents the chance to test a “robotic leg” exoskeleton designed to ease walking and climbing.

Rody Choi Cheuk-hin, chairman of the Aidvengers Federation, said the battery-powered rig, loaned by the Shenzhen-based technology company Hypershell, weighs around 2 kilograms and uses motor-assisted joints to reduce the strain on knees and hips.

The very same model was previously used by firefighters and officers during the search-and-rescue operations within the fire-hit buildings.

Fifty sets of the exoskeletons will be available, helping around 100 residents each day, Choi said.

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Applicants must be aged 18 to 65. They need to register online, watch a three-minute instructional video, and pass a brief 10-question safety quiz before trying the gear under close supervision.

So Hiu-fung, who participated in a trial of the exoskeleton gear on Thursday afternoon, said it made him feel as if his legs “were being lifted by someone”. He will visit a severely burned unit on the 27th floor that had belonged to his parents, who died in the fire.

Only a few objects can be identified in photos sent to his phone. “I suppose this is a porcelain-horse sculpture,” So said, pointing to a blurry white object in the corner of a photo. “That is a souvenir my mom bought during a trip,” he said through tears.

“My dad and mom were fond of collecting pottery and porcelain. I hope to bring back some,” he said.

Yiu Po-ling, who lived on the 18th floor, said, “I climbed three floors wearing the equipment and felt much more relaxed. Thanks to the assistance from all parties. It can really help the elderly.”

Yiu plans to return with a friend to retrieve letters and keepsakes from her severely damaged apartment. “I want to say goodbye to my home decently, not just through photos,” she said.

Betty Ho Pui-shan, a 14th-floor resident, said she was unaware of her flat’s condition, but hopes to retrieve sentimental items like photo albums.

Ho has applied for volunteer help through Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and tried the exoskeleton, which she said could reduce physical strain by 20 to 30 percent.

But she called the three-hour window too short. “I hope we can be allowed to go up more than once,” she said. In March, she and over 500 residents petitioned for more flexible arrangements, including multiple visits and longer time slots.

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“The government needs to understand — this is still our property. It’s our home,” Ho said.

In early December, residents of Wang Chi House, the only tower spared from the fire, were allowed a brief 90-minute visit to recover belongings.

Contact the writers at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com