Upon learning about the intense fire at her Hong Kong housing estate, Jacky Lee hurried back to rescue Jason, her 15-year-old grey poodle, fearing she might lose him forever.
When Lee arrived, the Wang Fuk Court complex was engulfed in flames, marking Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, with at least 151 casualties as seven high-rises turned to ash.
The 43-year-old airline engineer joined others anxiously waiting for rescue updates at a nearby school-turned-shelter on Wednesday.
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After midnight, as the fire intensified, a district councillor informed her that pet rescues had ceased. Just when hope seemed lost, she received a call from a firefighter asking about a dog in unit 2703 of the Wang Kin House tower.
A day after the fire began, Jason was found, gently carried by a volunteer from the still-burning towers. “He was trembling when I saw him from afar, but when I called his name, he stopped and smiled,” Lee told AFP. “I was ecstatic, almost in shock.”
A firefighter later explained they managed to get Jason into a carrier after noticing notes with his name that Lee had left on the walls.
“They saved my soul too,” Lee expressed on social media.
The fire burned for over 40 hours, and during this time, Hong Kong’s social media was inundated with concerned posts from pet lovers.
Pets are cherished in the city, often seen in prams and many shops sell pet clothing across neighborhoods.
Animal welfare groups looking after rescued pets shared photos online to reunite them with their owners.
‘Very strong will to live’
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Hong Kong stated that 209 animals, including dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, and turtles, were rescued, though 63 perished.
District councillor Lau Chun-hoi remained hopeful for more pet survivals, mentioning stray sightings. “Animals have a very strong will to live,” Lau told AFP, suggesting food and water be placed on certain floors. He urged support for Wang Fuk Court residents who lost pets, “as pets are family too.” Remembrance messages flooded social media.
Lee urged the government to offer pet-friendly temporary housing, emphasizing the difficulty displaced residents face in finding such options quickly.
Jason, now timid, stayed close to Lee. However, the vet confirmed he was recovering well, aside from slight dehydration.
