TAI PO, HONG KONG — A ferocious five-alarm blaze at the sprawling Wan Fuk Court residential complex has claimed more than 150 lives, leaving a community reeling and prompting questions about building safety. Amidst the catastrophic loss, a moment of extraordinary heroism emerged when a Filipino domestic worker, Nerissa Catabay, risked her life to carry her employer’s infant down 23 flights of smoke-filled stairs while simultaneously broadcasting a live alarm to residents and fellow migrants.
The massive fire, which tore through the Tai Po high-rise, has tragically included numerous foreign domestic workers among the casualties and missing. Ms. Catabay, a long-term resident of the complex, has been hailed as a beacon of courage after ensuring the survival of the baby in her charge.
Race Against the Inferno: 23 Floors to Safety
Ms. Catabay, who had been employed at Wan Fuk Court for approximately six months, described the initial moments of the fire as a rapid, terrifying spread. Coupled with strong winds that seemed to feed the flames on the upper floors, she recognized the imminent danger.
“I just grabbed the baby and go,” Ms. Catabay recounted, her voice still trembling days after the ordeal. “I didn’t lock the door, I didn’t close the window. I just gripped the baby and ran out.”
The 23-year-old worker did not hesitate, immediately fleeing the apartment on the 23rd floor. As she descended, she noticed crucial safety failures: the fire alarm systems were apparently malfunctioning, elevators were disabled, and significant smoke was already choking the stairwells.
Her quick thinking went beyond self-preservation. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the large number of domestic workers in the building who might not have been alerted, Ms. Catabay began a live broadcast on social media. While clutching the infant, she shouted urgent warnings into her phone camera: “Fire! Fire! Get out!” This real-time alert is believed to have saved others who were slow to realize the danger unfolding below.
Traumatic Descent Under Duress
The descent became a harrowing struggle. Ms. Catabay reported nearly collapsing from fear and exhaustion around the 11th floor. “I was shaking, I felt like I wanted to faint,” she recalled, describing the terrifying scene as “very terrible, it’s like a hell.” Despite the immense physical and psychological strain, the need to protect the infant spurred her onward. She pushed through the dense smoke and chaotic sounds of screaming, eventually reaching ground level safely with the baby intact.
Upon interviewing Ms. Catabay, she admitted the scenes remain vividly etched in her memory. The entire building transformed instantly, she noted, into a screaming nightmare engulfed by flames.
The fire has underscored the critical role of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong households, often placing them in situations where they must act quickly to protect vulnerable members of the family. Ms. Catabay’s selfless actions have drawn widespread praise from the public. Online forums have overflowed with accolades, with many netizens calling her a hero. Comments included praise for her “god-level stamina” for running 23 flights carrying a child, and one user suggested the employer should ensure her lifetime employment.
Recovery and Lingering Trauma
Following the destruction of their apartment and all belongings, Ms. Catabay and her employers and the infant are currently staying with family friends. Although thankful that she and the child escaped unharmed, the psychological toll is severe. Ms. Catabay revealed she is struggling with profound distress and sleepless nights.
The colossal death toll at Wan Fuk Court has triggered official investigations into fire safety compliance and the effectiveness of emergency response protocols in high-density residential towers. For now, Ms. Catabay stands as a poignant symbol of resilience and devotion amidst an unparalleled tragedy, a small but vital story of survival in the shadow of disaster.
UPDATE: Authorities are continuing the grim task of identifying victims and ascertaining the exact cause of the catastrophic blaze. The incident highlights the urgent need for stringent enforcement of fire safety standards, particularly in older high-rises.
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