The first batch of displaced Wang Fuk Court inhabitants started returning to their former residences in the housing estate's seven fire-ravaged blocks on Monday to collect what's left of their belongings almost five months after the deadly blaze.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk stressed the government attached great importance to the operation.

He said about 270 people from 78 households at Wang Sun House had registered to make the trip on the first day.

Cheuk said household members and their helpers would generally be able to go in and out of their former homes more than once during the three-hour period designated for each household.

“At first, we said residents could only go back once. But we later got a lot of feedback saying once really wasn't enough and that there was no flexibility in such an arrangement.

"So, if the situation permits, which I believe will be the case in most scenarios, they can go home more than once, especially for those on the lower floors.”

Temporary toilets have been set up every two floors, Cheuk said, on top of more than 10 installed on the ground floors of each of seven blocks.

This setup was made, he said, as it would be very difficult and tiring for residents if they had to go down every time they needed to go to the washroom.

Cheuk also called on journalists not to tag along with residents as households members would view their return to a place they had called home for decades as a private trip.

Officials, he stressed, would not allow journalists to do so if they come to know about it.

Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare Chris Sun reiterated that social workers would be on hand to help residents register volunteers to assist them with retrieving or salvaging their belongings if they wish.

More than 1,000 government workers, including social workers and psychologists, have been deployed on site to assist those making the return with arrangements each day and to cope.

Police and Civil Service Aid workers will also be stationed on every floor of the seven buildings to offer immediate help if residents do not feel well, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said.

Fire Services Department staff, as well as ambulances, are also on standby to send those in need of immediate medical care to hospitals.

If anyone needs a helping hand, workers will definitely help if they can, Tang added.

More than 1,700 households from the estate are set to make the return trips in batches between Monday and May 4.

In the morning, Cheuk, Sun and Tang, along with Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho and home and youth affairs chief Alice Mak, inspected various venues, including the joint-command centre and Kwong Fuk Community Hall, where residents get registered and collect supplies such as helmets and gloves.


Edited by Tony Sabine