“PRAY with us,” the Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Revd Andrew Chan, asked last week, after a fire in which at least 156 people are confirmed to have been killed.
The fire broke out at Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s New Territories, on Wednesday of last week. The blaze spread quickly between residential blocks in Wang Fuk Court; only one of the eight towers was unaffected.
The complex is home to about 4600 people, according to the most recent census data. In addition to those killed, dozens have been critically injured, and about 30 remain missing.
Last Friday, after the fire had been extinguished, authorities attributed its rapid spread to Styrofoam blocks that had been placed outside the windows of apartments while renovation work was under way.
Initial reports that Hong Kong’s distinctive bamboo scaffolding were to blame have been decried by many locals, who instead point to the flammability substandard netting was used to cover the bamboo framework, as well as the Styrofoam panels.
A total of 15 people with connections to the companies involved in the renovations have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption. It remains unclear what started the fire, but last Friday it was confirmed that fire alarms across Wang Fuk Court were not working properly.
Independent local media have reported that at least three people were arrested for alleged sedition in the aftermath of the fire. They include a student, Miles Kwan, who started a petition calling for an independent investigation and for government officials to be held to account if they were implicated in corruption.
Community organisations — including the Anglican Province, known as the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH) — have rallied to support those displaced by the fire.
On Wednesday, hours after the fire broke out, the HKSKH’s Welfare Council sent workers to the site, where they have been providing round-the-clock support. The three bishops of the Province have also visited the site.
A HKSKH church centre in Tai Po is being used to provide a place for people to rest, and receive emotional support and counselling. A notice posted online said that it would remain open until further notice.
The Church has set up a fund-raising platform to provide assistance in the form of cash grants and essential supplies.
The Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kowloon, the Very Revd Franklin Lee, said that members of his congregation had been volunteering at the site, and were preparing to help in the clean-up efforts when those evacuated from neighbouring blocks were allowed to return home.
“Because of the strong wind, though the fire did not reach their apartments, smoke did get in. This will require much cleaning. Some of the residents there are quite elderly, and they will need people to help them with cleaning and with the use of the electrical cleaners and air purifiers,” he said.
In a statement reported by the Anglican Communion News Service, Archbishop Chan said: “In this dark moment in time, many across Hong Kong, coming from different backgrounds, have stepped up and contributed in different ways to alleviate the pain of those affected.
“As fellow children of God, even though we are separated by geographical distances, I ask of you to pray with us in Hong Kong for the mercy and love of our Lord,” he said.
Archbishop Chan also published a prayer from the HKSKH, for those whose loved ones had died, for those who were missing, and for the emergency workers responding to the incident.
The Archbishop in Jerusalem, Dr Hosam Naoum, reposted the prayer on social media, adding: “Prayers ascending for our sisters and brothers in Hong Kong.”