On November 26th, a level-5 fire broke out at Hong Fuk Estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, resulting in 146 fatalities, multiple injuries, and the displacement of many residents, shocking the entire city. Singer Kay Tse also posted on social media on November 30th, uncharacteristically sharing a lengthy message to express her feelings, as Hong Fuk Estate is where she grew up. The heavy casualties from this tragedy hold an even deeper and weightier meaning for her.
At the beginning of her post, Kay Tse said that it took her several days to find the courage to write this message: "As someone who once lived here, Hong Fuk Estate is the home where I grew up. From childhood to becoming a singer, until I got married, this place filled my entire youth." She admitted that seeing her former apartment consumed by fire, and witnessing the homes of neighbors who had cared for her since childhood turn into charred ruins, was heartbreaking: "In just a few days, I have had to say goodbye to my old classmates, respected elders, and many good neighbors. The pain in my heart is indescribably heavy."
Speaking about the disaster site, Kay Tse described how the sight of firefighters and paramedics working tirelessly and risking their lives to save people was deeply moving, while the cries of neighbors and the shouts for help from trapped victims were truly harrowing: "We all feel helpless, wishing we could do something—whether it's sharing information, sending a message, a bouquet of flowers, a donation, or volunteering. Every act of kindness, when joined together, becomes a force of support for the affected families."
Kay Tse also paid the highest tribute to all front-line rescue personnel and offered special condolences to the family of firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who unfortunately lost his life in the line of duty. She also sent best wishes to firefighters still receiving treatment in hospital. She stressed that although the fire has been extinguished, residents who have lost their homes still face a long and arduous road to recovery, requiring society's long-term care and support: "When the news coverage fades, these families who have lost their homes and are suffering physically and psychologically will continue to face countless challenges. Support should not stop at this moment alone."
Kay Tse addressed all those affected: "May we turn this moment of pain into a lasting commitment. Healing from trauma takes time, but we are willing to walk alongside you." She also reminded everyone enduring sorrow: "Please allow yourself to grieve, and remember, as you support others, please also support yourself." At the end of the article, she wrote with deep feeling: "Home is not just bricks and mortar; it is also a shared watchfulness, never giving up on each other even in despair. May the departed rest in peace, may the living stay strong. However long the road ahead, we will walk it together." Kay Tse also added that she has recently received many messages of concern, and she thanks everyone for remembering that she and her family once lived at Hong Fuk Estate, as well as for all the care and support.