The returnees were from Wang Cheong and Wang Yan blocks.
One of them, surnamed Kwok, who injured his left leg, used a crutch to assist him in going upstairs.
“After I went inside my flat, I stopped using the crutch and used my hands to guide myself along the wall. It felt like I was actually home, even though the place was without electricity, dark, and covered in ashes,” he said.
He found several items that had special meaning to him including a merry-go-round clock and his late father’s glass ashtray.
“My father used to live here before he passed away. The flat contains many of my memories of him. After he passed, I didn’t throw away many of his things he used in his daily life. It creates the feeling that he’s still around,” he added.
Yip Ka-kui, whose wife was one of the 168 lives taken by the inferno, is scheduled to return to his own home in Wang Tai House next week.
But before that, he accompanied his son — who used to live in Wang Cheong House — to collect what was left.
“We do not plan to go up and down. We will place everything outside first. I heard that some members of the Civil Aid Service will help us move items. I do not know exactly what it will be, but I will try not to waste time going up and down,” he said.
Another resident, a woman surnamed Wu, said three hours was not enough time to salvage everything.
She hoped the government would arrange a second visit.
“At least my parents might be able to go up as well. Then, our whole family can gather inside our home and bid our farewell comfortably,” she said.
“I hope we can spend time together so I can play my piano one last time. I won’t be able to take it with me, but we can recall the memories we had throughout the years.”
An elderly woman surnamed Chan, who had lived on the eighth floor of Wang Cheong House since its inception, hoped to salvage the dolls she bought in Xizang.
She also prepared flowers for her neighbours who passed away in the November tragedy.
