William Li has struggled with the label hero since helping his neighbours escape the fire which engulfed the Hong Kong block of flats he had called home since birth. Instead, he is haunted by guilt that he could have saved more people from the blaze at Wang Fuk Court, which left at least 159 people dead. My heart breaks every time someone calls me a hero, says the 40-year-old, breaking down in tears.
A week on from the disaster, firefighters are still combing the complex of seven burnt-out high rises for the remains of 30 of Mr Li's neighbours - people who, like him, had the misfortune to be at home when the deadly fire began. What caused the fire to start, and why more people did not escape, is now the subject of an independent committee's investigation, ordered by Hong Kong's chief executive.
It has already been revealed that non-fire resistant netting had been fitted around the building, and that the fire alarms were not working properly. The fact alarm systems did not go off is why Mr Li was not more worried when his wife called to tell him a fire had started in their building, Wang Cheong House. Instead of rushing, he spent almost 10 minutes packing belongings. Yet, when he opened the door, the full extent of the disaster was evident: he was met with dense smoke, forcing him to retreat.
He spent over two hours trapped inside his home, during which he rescued several neighbors. I feel very guilty, he said. "Some people weren't saved and I didn't open my door again and try to find them. Others in the complex also attempted to save lives. Bai Shui Lin, 66, is believed to have saved three families but tragically did not survive herself.
The investigation is ongoing as the community processes the harrowing impact of the fire, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims and survivors. After being rescued, Mr Li decided to share his story to help find the truth behind the tragedy and advocate for better safety measures in high-rise buildings.
A week on from the disaster, firefighters are still combing the complex of seven burnt-out high rises for the remains of 30 of Mr Li's neighbours - people who, like him, had the misfortune to be at home when the deadly fire began. What caused the fire to start, and why more people did not escape, is now the subject of an independent committee's investigation, ordered by Hong Kong's chief executive.
It has already been revealed that non-fire resistant netting had been fitted around the building, and that the fire alarms were not working properly. The fact alarm systems did not go off is why Mr Li was not more worried when his wife called to tell him a fire had started in their building, Wang Cheong House. Instead of rushing, he spent almost 10 minutes packing belongings. Yet, when he opened the door, the full extent of the disaster was evident: he was met with dense smoke, forcing him to retreat.
He spent over two hours trapped inside his home, during which he rescued several neighbors. I feel very guilty, he said. "Some people weren't saved and I didn't open my door again and try to find them. Others in the complex also attempted to save lives. Bai Shui Lin, 66, is believed to have saved three families but tragically did not survive herself.
The investigation is ongoing as the community processes the harrowing impact of the fire, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims and survivors. After being rescued, Mr Li decided to share his story to help find the truth behind the tragedy and advocate for better safety measures in high-rise buildings.
