'HK spirit revived': Massive blaze triggers wave of community support

The deadliest fire in Hong Kong in 77 years has galvanised the city as locals from all walks of life came out in full force on Nov 27 to help those affected.

- Magdalene Fung Hong Kong Correspondent

Outside the Rainbow BBQ Store at Tai Po Market, volunteers gathered to donate supplies of all sorts, ranging from cartons of mineral water bottles and bunches of bananas, to bags of warm clothes, boxes of masks and even packets of disposable underwear.

The donations were transported by volunteers in taxis and luxury cars, bound for various shelters and public spaces across the city where those displaced by the blaze had gathered.

Some were riding bicycles or going on foot to get around traffic and road blocks near the site of the blaze to deliver the supplies.

The fire, which started on Nov 26 at about 2.50pm at a housing complex in Tai Po district in the New Territories, engulfed seven of the eight 31-storey residential blocks, all of which were occupied.

Many of the residents evacuated from their homes are putting up not just in shelters around Tai Po, but in other public spaces in the city opened for those affected.

Others have sought refuge in the homes of friends and relatives.

Vocational student Roger Wu, 18, told The Straits Times: "I saw in a group chat last night that people needed help here to coordinate the logistics and get the supplies to those who need them. So I came."

Mr Wu, who arrived late on Nov 26 at Rainbow BBQ Store, one of the resource allocation points designated by volunteers online, stayed awake through the night and skipped school the following day to help out.

"Nearly the whole estate has been burned down. When I saw the news of all the people who suddenly lost their homes overnight because of this one fire, I just wanted to help," Mr Wu said.