HONG KONG — A massive five-alarm fire ripped through Hong Fuk Estate in Tai Po last week, claiming numerous lives and displacing hundreds, as one resident recounted the agonizing loss of her home, loved ones, and financial security in a tragedy magnified by alleged construction disputes and failed alarm systems.
Ms. Fan, a single mother residing in Wang Kin House, revealed the devastating impact of the blaze, which erupted while she was at work, leaving her financially ruined and mourning the deaths of her godparents and a colleague. Her emotional breakdown underscored the desperation gripping the community, now demanding immediate government intervention and a transparent investigation into the fire’s swift, deadly spread.
“I exhausted a lifetime of savings just to buy this flat. After struggling to pay the mortgage, then facing huge maintenance fees, I have nothing left,” a tearful Ms. Fan told reporters. “Now, the fire has consumed my home. What am I supposed to do?”
The tragedy quickly escalated beyond a localized incident. While Ms. Fan was working at a hospital and her child was at school, supervisors alerted her to the fire. Upon rushing back, police cordons blocked her path as the flames—fanned by the wind—began to leap to adjacent blocks, including Wang Sun House and Wang Tai House, which were visibly scorched.
Official reports confirmed the immense scale of the disaster, with fatalities climbing to 128 dead and 79 injured. Compounding the tragedy, authorities indicated that the crucial fire alarm system failed to activate, leaving residents reliant on neighbors for precious evacuation time.
Alarm Failure and Controversial Contract Raise Questions
Ms. Fan recounted asking her mother, who lives nearby, whether she heard the fire alarm. “She said there was no warning sound,” Ms. Fan stated. “If people hadn’t gone door-to-door banging to wake people up, many more wouldn’t have known until it was too late. When a fire breaks out, the elevators stop working. How are the elderly supposed to escape?”
The community’s suffering is compounded by deep-seated frustration regarding the estate’s recent large-scale renovation project, which residents believe was poorly managed and hastily contracted. Ms. Fan alleged that the previous Owners’ Committee chairman unilaterally signed a contract with Hung Yip Construction Engineering despite widespread opposition from most homeowners.
Attempts to overturn the contract were unsuccessful, though owners managed to delay payment deadlines. Ms. Fan highlighted residents’ bewilderment over the extensive, prolonged nature of the maintenance work.
“What made us most dissatisfied was why they simultaneously sealed off so many buildings, putting up netting and scaffolding, which we felt was unnecessary,” she explained. “They could have completed the maintenance on all eight blocks at once, but they didn’t. The major renovation has dragged on for nearly a year and a half, yet only two blocks were completed.”
Displacement and Uncertain Future
Amid the debris and grief, the immediate needs of the displaced residents are paramount. Ms. Fan, while having the option to temporarily stay with family or in her hospital dormitory, stressed the urgency of government action. She intends to leave space open for neighbors with fewer resources, focusing her immediate hope on accelerated rebuilding efforts.
However, the loss of essential documents creates another hurdle for recovery. Crucial items like passports, birth certificates, legal documents, and property deeds remain inaccessible within the scorched ruins.
“What are my plans? I don’t know. I can only wait to see what arrangements the government makes, take it step by step,” Ms. Fan said. “We have no money left. What else can we do?”
Organizations are mobilizing to provide aid. In addition to housing and financial support, volunteer groups are organizing mental health initiatives, including yoga sessions and aromatherapy, designed to help survivors navigate the emotional trauma of the inferno. The community now looks to government officials for not only short-term relief but also a comprehensive investigation ensuring accountability for the alarm failures and alleged contracting irregularities that may have contributed to the staggering death toll.
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