Hong Kong Fire Survivor William Li Breaks Silence: “My Heart Breaks Every Time I’m Called a Hero”

William Li, a 40-year-old Hong Kong resident, helped his neighbours escape a deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court but struggles with the label of “hero.” The blaze, which began at the building he had called home since birth, has claimed at least 159 lives, making it the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in over seven decades.

“My heart breaks every time someone calls me a hero,” Li said, breaking down as he recounted his ordeal. Haunted by guilt over those he could not save, Li helped a couple to relative safety in his smoke-filled flat before being trapped for over two hours.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation, with authorities noting faulty alarms and non-fire-resistant netting around the high-rise complex. Many residents, including domestic workers, were unable to escape in time.

Other survivors, such as Rhodora Alcaraz, 28, also displayed remarkable courage, protecting her employer’s infant and elderly parent until firefighters rescued them.

Li described the terror of realizing he might not survive and his attempts to contact friends via WhatsApp. “It was the first time I felt death had something to do with me,” he said.

After being rescued via aerial ladder, Li was admitted to hospital, where he began processing the trauma. He hopes sharing his story will prompt accountability and justice for Wang Fuk Court residents.