There were more than 100 people staying at one of the temporary shelters set up in Yau Ma Tei for residents who could not return to New Lucky House after a fire broke out there on Wednesday, with most saying they were grateful to have a roof over their heads.

Erlando Alto, who is visiting from Birmingham with his family of nine, including two babies, have been staying at the Henry G Leong Community Centre shelter after escaping the blaze.

He told RTHK that his family is happy with the government arrangements.

"The arrangement is very good. Clothes, pillows, a mattress, basically we have food and drinks, and they make sure that we're okay,” he said.

“We asked for the baby bottle and baby milk powder and they provided it for us.”

Another man, surnamed Ng, said all the necessities were available at the temporary shelter.

"Chairs, mattresses, they had everything....they even had chargers," he said.

But he added: "Many people have been arranged to stay in hotels, but not for us because we registered late."

Earlier in the day, DAB lawmaker Edward Leung and Yau Ma Tei district councillor Benny Yeung had liaised with hotels to provide rooms for those in need.

Speaking to reporters in the afternoon, Chief Executive John Lee said the government will do all it can to help people affected by the Jordan fire.

Lee also said he was extremely sad about the lives lost, and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

"The Housing Bureau and the Housing Department are closely liaising with the Home Affairs Department and the Social Welfare Department to do their best in offering assistance to affected residents, including arranging those in need to stay in temporary shelters or transitional housing flats," he said.

And Secretary for Home Affairs Alice Mak said the government is trying its best to help these people, and that they have also opened up a temporary shelter at Nam Cheong District Community Centre in Sham Shui Po.
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Last updated: 2024-04-10 HKT 21:44