All I can say is thank you very much my friend. As a fire officer in hong kong and going to retire next year. The fire you encounter is lucky no more here because almost all squatter huts are removed. although there are from time to time some people are killed during the fire.
My uncle was ayuxiliary fireman, he told us stories about it. It was a big thing, the beginning of public housing because 50000 people homeless overnight, so they had to build emergency housing estates. So that's why HK is full of housing estates. I remember the 1955 fire although i was young, my father took us to look from the mountain above and told us "Remember this all your life". He knew how important it was. .
Uncle Michael, when did you go to the site of the big fire to make these shots? How long had the fire become the headlines of the newspapers and the daily topic of the people? What's the social reaction then? Thanks.
I rememeber that we returned home from a Xmas party. I looked out of the window showing a panorama of the HK harbour and saw this enormous plume of smoke behind Kowloon. Next morning I didn't go to the office but rushed to the site to take shots as I realised that it was a momentous disaster. The South China Morning post reported on it with a big display. But I do not recollect how long after it was a daily topic. Yet mine were the only shots, I was told by the BBC ten years later.
It's so emotional to me when i am watching this clip. I remember my mom told me about the fire in Shek Kip Mei when i was a teenager. I didnt realise my parents living so hard in those days. After the fire my parents was moved to the Tai Han Tong 7 storeys and i was born in 1955. Now I understand why she treat money so seriously even after we immigrated to canada to have better living. She already passed away in 2003 and my dad is 80. This clip makes me cry. Thank you so much.
Yes. The living environment there was far from satisfactory. 10 square metre housing a whole family of 6 or 7 was not uncommon at that time. The residents had to use the public toilets and bathrooms. And also had to cook in the corridors. HK public housings today are much much decent. Yet, these 7-storeys did form the collective momories of the 50's to 70's Honkies.
My primary school(St. Francis of Assisi's Primary School) is in Shek Kip Mei, just nearby the site of the big fire. It brings back memories of my primary school years.
Some of my school mates were from the Shek Kip Mei 7-Storeys Resettlement Estate then. The parents of few of them were the victims of the fire. A pity that the Shek Kip Eastate were all torn down 2 to 3 years ago.
I was one of the few persons in the colony filming in 16mm. The BBC were also anxious to get these shots at one time. DVD's are with the HK Govt. Archive and HK History Museum.
incredible job Man!!
pf1962153 9 months ago
All I can say is thank you very much my friend. As a fire officer in hong kong and going to retire next year. The fire you encounter is lucky no more here because almost all squatter huts are removed. although there are from time to time some people are killed during the fire.
greatguy52 1 year ago
My uncle was ayuxiliary fireman, he told us stories about it. It was a big thing, the beginning of public housing because 50000 people homeless overnight, so they had to build emergency housing estates. So that's why HK is full of housing estates. I remember the 1955 fire although i was young, my father took us to look from the mountain above and told us "Remember this all your life". He knew how important it was. .
paklaanfa 2 years ago
Thanks for your recollection. We may have stood side by side on the mountain above.
MichaelRogge 2 years ago
Uncle Michael, when did you go to the site of the big fire to make these shots? How long had the fire become the headlines of the newspapers and the daily topic of the people? What's the social reaction then? Thanks.
raymondkkng 2 years ago
I rememeber that we returned home from a Xmas party. I looked out of the window showing a panorama of the HK harbour and saw this enormous plume of smoke behind Kowloon. Next morning I didn't go to the office but rushed to the site to take shots as I realised that it was a momentous disaster. The South China Morning post reported on it with a big display. But I do not recollect how long after it was a daily topic. Yet mine were the only shots, I was told by the BBC ten years later.
MichaelRogge 2 years ago
Uncle Mic, you are really our Hero Reporter.
raymondkkng 2 years ago
lol what is a hero reporter? A hero is someone who risk their own life to save others.
spike378 2 years ago
Also thanks so much Mr. Rogge sharing these clips to us like we are entering the time tunnel.
CrazyJo82 2 years ago
Teresa
It's so emotional to me when i am watching this clip. I remember my mom told me about the fire in Shek Kip Mei when i was a teenager. I didnt realise my parents living so hard in those days. After the fire my parents was moved to the Tai Han Tong 7 storeys and i was born in 1955. Now I understand why she treat money so seriously even after we immigrated to canada to have better living. She already passed away in 2003 and my dad is 80. This clip makes me cry. Thank you so much.
CrazyJo82 2 years ago
Your dad is the same age as I. He must have a lot to tell. Don't forget to ask him as you may never have another opportunity.
MichaelRogge 2 years ago
I suppose the apartments did not cater for modern comfort.
MichaelRogge 2 years ago
Yes. The living environment there was far from satisfactory. 10 square metre housing a whole family of 6 or 7 was not uncommon at that time. The residents had to use the public toilets and bathrooms. And also had to cook in the corridors. HK public housings today are much much decent. Yet, these 7-storeys did form the collective momories of the 50's to 70's Honkies.
raymondkkng 2 years ago
My primary school(St. Francis of Assisi's Primary School) is in Shek Kip Mei, just nearby the site of the big fire. It brings back memories of my primary school years.
raymondkkng 2 years ago
But fortunately the fire occurred many years before you went to school there!
MichaelRogge 2 years ago
Haha! You are right.
Some of my school mates were from the Shek Kip Mei 7-Storeys Resettlement Estate then. The parents of few of them were the victims of the fire. A pity that the Shek Kip Eastate were all torn down 2 to 3 years ago.
raymondkkng 2 years ago
Luckily, no one was killed in this fire.
diud12 2 years ago
Comment removed
bobchewaing 3 years ago
It is a milestone of HK public housing history, those victims are the first people who lived in public estates.
Karltherbt 3 years ago
well i live in shek kip mei it makes me cry!
bobjika 3 years ago
I was one of the few persons in the colony filming in 16mm. The BBC were also anxious to get these shots at one time. DVD's are with the HK Govt. Archive and HK History Museum.
MichaelRogge 3 years ago
That night my granny was there visiting a relative of hers. Luckily she escaped, or else I won't be here=]
ooElitaOneoo 4 years ago
where would u be?
samdonuge 4 years ago
I think my Dad was working on this fire when he was in the Police
MIKEGROOME 4 years ago