Long queues formed at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in the early hours of Friday as more people returned to retrieve belongings they were forced to leave behind when the deadly inferno tore through most of their residential estate.

In the latest phased arrangement, five floors in Wang Tai House and 10 floors in Wang Kin House were opened up.

By just before 9am, dozens of people had lined up outside Kwong Fuk Community Hall to register and receive the protective gear they had to don before they were allowed to go into the buildings.

Many were seen toting large red-white-blue canvas bags, pulling handcarts or wheeling suitcases.

A woman surnamed Chan who lived in Wang Tai House, one of two buildings that were severely damaged in the blaze, said she hoped to retrieve what mattered most to her family.

"I definitely want to retrieve valuables and sentimental items like photos," she said.

"My mother will not be going up with me, but my older sister and two friends will. My mother is already 85 years old, so walking up 14 floors is way too difficult."

A woman surnamed Kwan said she owned three high-floor units in Wang Kin House, which she had been using for both self-occupation and rental.

She said she had managed to put the fire incident out of her mind for a while but that her mood turned heavy again when she learned she could finally go upstairs.

"Most important is that I can get my son's photos and certifications. I also want to grab my own awards from work," Kwan said.

"I heard from my social worker that it is a good thing if we don't get advance photos to give us an idea of our unit's condition. If we don't get photos, it means the condition of our home isn't too bad.

"I hope the condition of Wang Kin House is better than what we expect it to be."

A man surnamed Siu, who had been living in Wang Kin House, said his parents were among the first batch of owners and that their greatest wish had been to move back into their unit.

He added that though his father is reluctant to part with the flat, he knows he has to let go.

Siu also said the family believes the government has been very considerate of their situation.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden