Hong Kong fire survivors rebuild lives from ashes
Apartment buyback scheme, psychological support, independent inquiry help in healing process
Gabby also pulled some of her old drawings from the debris. On a yellowed sheet of paper with charred edges was written the word "Family". She plans to have the page framed and displayed once they settle into a new home.
At Wang Sun House, Lau was among the first former residents to go upstairs. Unfortunately, she said gold ingots she had in her apartment were missing. She reported the suspected theft to the police.
By May 30, a total of 142 such reports had been made by Wang Fuk Court residents, with 16 cases remaining open, Hong Kong authorities said.
A local official reported that 1,674 of the 1,736 affected households in the seven fire-hit buildings — 6,265 people, including former residents, friends and helpers — had gone upstairs during the visiting period from April 20 to May 4. Around 50 opted out after viewing photos of their flats. Fewer than 10 required separate arrangements, the official reported.
Residents of Wang Chi House — the sole block untouched by the blaze — had made two return trips by May 17.
A second round of visits to the seven fire-hit buildings ran from May 21 to 29.
