Construction workers, off-duty aid officer come to the rescue

More than 10 residents survived with the help of Good Samaritans - construction workers and an off-duty Civil Aid Service member.

The aid officer, named Chow, heard screams as he passed by the building. He saw some of the residents were hindered by a wire fence at a nearby construction site.

Acting swiftly, he called the construction workers and requested that they use welding tools to cut the fence. This allowed the residents to escape to safety.

Chow also used a water hose to help fight the fire.

One of the construction workers, named Man, recounted their efforts.

"We erected two ladders to facilitate the evacuation, and even utilized a crane to rescue an elderly man who had difficulty walking," he said. In the end, they saved more than 10 people. The survivors were crying and understandably frightened.

"People's lives were at stake and we wanted to help as much as possible. We didn't think much [about the dangers]," Man said.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong arranged temporary accommodations for residents.

It secured rooms in seven hotels - Hilton Garden Inn Hong Kong Mongkok, The Mira, Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Mongkok, Travelodge Kowloon, One Dundas Serviced Apartments, Eaton Hotel and the Bauhinia Hotel.

It might not be enough, the DAB added, due to a tight hotel room supply caused by the ongoing Global Sources Consumer Electronics Show.

Approximately 40 households residing on the first and second floors of the building were affected.

DAB lawmaker Edward Leung Hei appealed to other hotels to help.

Charity organization Lok Sin Tong said its caring fund will provide HK$50,000 in financial support to families of those who died, as well as HK$5,000 to each affected household.

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals offered free funeral services for the deceased and HK$10,000 to each injured resident.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com