Miss Hong Kong 2020, Hera Chan, expressed devastation on Weibo after learning that her grandmother’s home was engulfed in flames during the deadly fire that tore through the Hung Fook Court residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong.
In a post that included footage of the towering blaze, Chan wrote, “I felt helpless watching my grandma’s home consumed by fire.” The level-5 fire— with reports stating it escalated to critical levels within 40 minutes, fueled by strong winds and bamboo scaffolding used for exterior repairs.
Although initially uncertain of her grandmother’s safety, Chan later confirmed that her grandmother was safe. However, she revealed that priceless mementos, such as childhood photo albums and the sewing corner where her grandmother once made school uniforms, were destroyed.
The building where her grandmother resided was home to a large elderly population—33% of its residents are senior citizens.
The blaze, which lasted over three hours, resulted in 44 deaths and 45 injuries, including the tragic loss of a firefighter. Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department deployed 767 firefighters and 128 fire trucks, evacuating over 400 people and opening five emergency shelters for displaced residents.
Chan concluded her message with condolences: “My deepest prayers and sympathies go out to all the victims, the injured, and those who lost their homes today.”
Hera Chan, born in 1995 to a Scottish mother and Hong Kong father, previously worked as a surgical nurse before winning the Miss Hong Kong crown in 2020. Known for her resemblance to Xinjiang-born actress Dilraba Dilmurat, she was dubbed “Chubby Dilraba” by netizens—a nickname she’s grown to embrace. Following her pageant victory, she shifted career paths, returning to Hong Kong to pursue opportunities in entertainment.
As Hong Kong mourns, Hera Chan’s emotional story has added a deeply personal layer to a disaster already etched in the city’s memory.
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