Big Hong Kong fire 1953 石硖尾大火

The Shek Kip Mei firein Kowloon made 53.000 squatters homeless. Also on DVD:
www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/Film_DVDlijst.html

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• hong kong
• kowloon
• fire
• shek kip mei
• 1953
• squatters
• homeless
• 石硖尾大火 michael
• rogge

[paklaanfa]

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. .

[MichaelRogge]

Thanks for your recollection. We may have stood side by side on the mountain above.

[raymondkkng]

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.

[MichaelRogge]

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.

[CrazyJo82]

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.

[MichaelRogge]

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.

[pf1962153]

incredible job Man!!

[greatguy52]

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.

[spike378]

lol what is a hero reporter? A hero is someone who risk their own life to save others.

[raymondkkng]

Uncle Mic, you are really our Hero Reporter.

[CrazyJo82]

Also thanks so much Mr. Rogge sharing these clips to us like we are entering the time tunnel.