Hong Kong’s students have mobilised in full force to support victims of the city’s deadliest fire in decades, joining a massive grass-roots volunteer effort to aid the thousands left homeless.
The blaze erupted on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court and claimed 128 lives as of Friday.
With the death toll rising and emergency services stretched to their limit, a community relief network has emerged across Tai Po, driven by everyday people.
Makeshift distribution centres have been inundated with essential supplies – ranging from blankets and medical kits to food and baby products – as citizens work side by side to provide urgent help to the displaced.
Among the groups of volunteers are pupils in uniforms, determined to do everything they can to help their classmates, neighbours and community.
A sense of unity
A group of Form Six students from Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School arrived at about 10am on Friday at the Kwong Fuk Estate podium, located across the street from Wang Fuk Court.
The teenagers spent the day handing out meals, beverages and supplies such as diapers and milk formula to displaced families. Many of the items had been donated by restaurants and residents.
One of these pupils, Annie Chen, said she and her classmates witnessed the fire from their campus, which is about 10 minutes away from Wang Fuk Court on foot.
“When we left school, the sky was filled with dark smoke. We were really sad. We never expected such a disaster to happen so close to us, just 300 metres away,” the 17-year-old said.
Annie added that some of her classmates were among those affected, and all had been confirmed safe. She said 16 students from her school lived in Wang Fuk Court and more than 20 in Kwong Fuk Estate, where several blocks were evacuated a few hours after the fire spread.
The teen said that more than 40 of her schoolmates came out to volunteer.
“I feel very united with everyone,” Annie said.
One moment that left an impression on her was when an elderly woman came from Sha Tin to help.
“She told us she wanted to do whatever she could for the residents. When she saw us volunteering, she insisted on buying ... 10 boxes of food for us. I was really touched,” Annie recalled.
The podium where Annie and her classmates were volunteering became a central hub for volunteers and victims, with hand-drawn maps marking the purpose of each booth.
Stations offered free emergency counselling and medical support from both Western and traditional Chinese medicine doctors.
Local NGO Bethune House also set up a booth to help migrant domestic workers affected by the fires.
Over at CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School, which was converted into a temporary shelter, 13-year-old Susan Huang Ching-ying was delivering pillows and blankets to displaced victims.
“Some of my seniors went to other locations. I first checked whether anyone here needed pillows or anything like that, so I left the pillows and blankets here,” said Susan, who is also from Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School.
The teenager said she felt a sense of camaraderie with the people in Tai Po.
“I think we’re all part of this community. I actually live in Shenzhen, but I’ve studied here for many years,” Susan said.
“I’ve probably spent more time in Hong Kong than in Shenzhen. That is why I wanted to come and help out, just to contribute a bit.”
Checking in on the vulnerable
On Thursday, university students Alphon Fung, 20, and Todd Hu, 19, both certified in first aid, were also at the school shelter to provide medical and emotional support.
“We’re checking in on nearby elderly residents, especially those who might have lost medication or have chronic conditions,” said Fung, who is a nursing student.
“We help record their blood pressure and pass the information to government departments for follow-up.”
He added that while official emergency resources were stretched thin, community efforts could fill the gaps.
“We believe government resources are limited, but the power of ordinary people is limitless,” Fung said. “We just hope our small effort can help the whole community.”
As part of their relief work, Hu and Fung performed basic health checks and kept an eye out for vulnerable residents.
“Sometimes people are sitting there for hours. They get cold or their blood pressure drops or spikes,” said Hu, who was also volunteering on-site past midnight on Wednesday. “So we check on them, talk to them, and if anything seems wrong, we alert the medical staff.”
The student said that most of the severely injured victims had already been sent to hospitals when he was there on Thursday, but many displaced residents remained nearby.
“Some of them are elderly, living alone or have chronic illnesses,” Hu explained.
“They might have left their medicine behind during the evacuation and are now sitting here unnoticed.”
While donations continue to pour in, Fung believes supplies are no longer the most pressing need.
“Hongkongers are incredibly generous,” he said. “We already have enough manpower and supplies.”
Fung urged the public to respond with empathy as well as restraint: “What’s important now is that people stop spreading images and news online, to avoid re-traumatising the victims and their families,” he said. “Let’s stay calm and avoid unnecessary hurt. Even people not directly involved can feel distressed seeing this over and over.”
He added a word of encouragement: “So please, stay positive and keep going, Hong Kong.”
After spending nine hours at the shelter, Fung and Hu said they were motivated by the community spirit.
“In the past, we’ve volunteered at all kinds of events ... providing on-site help. This time, with so many injured and displaced people, we felt we had to step in,” Fung said.
