After 108 hours, the deadly fire at Ngau Tau Kok has finally been extinguished. During the blaze at SC Storage’s facility in Amoycan Industrial Centre, one senior station officer and one senior fireman were tragically killed. Kevin Shee, founder of SC Storage, wrote a Facebook post on Sunday saying that the company will be offering monetary aid of HKD500,000 to each of the deceased firefighters’ families:
His statement reads:
I am sorry for causing everyone to worry.
The past few days of my life have been the saddest of the last 20 years. In my heart, I feel extremely devastated, sad, and pained. My wife and I are feeling an unprecedented amount of stress and failure.
Since the incident began, I have been working around the clock closely with frontline staff of SC Storage to deal with the aftermath. Our current tasks include informing customers individually, assisting the fire and police departments, as well as inspecting and strengthening fire safety measures in other storage facilities. Everyone is working tirelessly, day and night, in hopes of minimising the consequences of this tragedy as much as possible.
We lost two heroic firemen in the fire, for which I am heartbroken. My team and I were busy dealing with the fallout when I first heard the devastating news, and I nearly collapsed. The severity of this incident has extended far beyond what anyone could have expected.
Last Wednesday morning, I reached out to the Fire Services Department to learn what the deceased firefighters’ families need, and try to provide immediate support.
To show our sincere respect towards the two firemen who have lost their lives in the fire, we, SC Storage, are going to offer HKD500,000 to their widows to alleviate any urgent needs. I promise to keep providing assistance to the two families and their children in any possible way.
I understand that this has not only impacted our clients, but also nearby nursing homes, buildings, and the entire neighbourhood. The fire has also caused inconveniences of varying degrees to those working and living in the Kowloon Bay area.
In regards to the fire and how it was caused, I intend to fully cooperate with the police in their ongoing investigation. At the same time, I have assigned staff members to assist those who intend to file damage claims by following up with the insurance agency.
Truthfully speaking, there have been inadequacies in the way I dealt with the matter. Better late than never, we have instantly strengthened the management of our mini storage units, especially in terms of improving fire prevention facilities. I will supervise to the best of my ability in order to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Positive or negative, I will take all comments to heart. However, I may not be able to make individual replies to each and every one of you, as I am currently busy with dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. I hope you understand.
From this incident, I have learned my lesson the hard way. Thank you once more for all your concern and feedback.
The Facebook post received several hundred comments, expressing both support and criticism. Some of those who wrote negative comments said there’s nothing Shee can do to compensate the pain endured by the fallen firemen’s families.
Hang Lung Properties, which owns Amoycan Industrial Centre, has also donated HKD1 million for the emergency expenses of each deceased fireman’s family, and set up a HKD1 million education fund for each of their children.
Donations to the families of both Cheung and Hui can be transferred to the following bank accounts:
Thomas Cheung
Directly to Lydia Chan (Cheung’s wife)
Open to public: Yes
Bank: HSBC
Account name: Chan Mei Wa Lydia
Account number: 168-767770-001
Deadline: No
Will provide receipt: No
The Fire Officers’ Association:
Open to public: Yes
Bank: Wing Lung
Account name: Hong Kong Fire Services Officers Association (消防主任協會)
Account number: 020-625-000-19757
Deadline: No
Will provide receipt: No
Samuel Hui
Directly to Ng On-yee (Hui’s wife)
Open to public: Yes
Bank: Bank of China
Account name: Ng On Yee
Account number: 012-793-10008857
Deadline: No
Will provide receipt: No
Directly to Ng On-yee (Hui’s wife)
Bank: Heng Seng Bank
Bank name: Ng On Yee
Account number: 264-549460-668
Deadline: No
Will provide receipt: No
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