SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1 ya
FIRE VICTIMS URGED TO VACATE COMMUNITY CENTRE
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SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO VICTIMS OF THE CHU KOO TSAI VILLAGE FIRE, CURRENTLY STAYING IN THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TO MOVE OUT OF THE CENTRE.
+SPEEDY AND APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST FIRE VICTIMS IN MOVING TO THE IR NEW HOMES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID.
MR TSE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE WAS TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR RESIDENTS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, AND USED AS A TEMPORARY SHELTER ONLY IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES.
THE FIRE VICTIMS WERE GIVEN SHELTER AT THE CENTRE SHORTLY AFTER THE JANUARY 27 FIRE AND HAVE STAYED THERE EVER SINCE. AS A RESULT, THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE CENTRE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.
+THE DAILY GATHERINGS OF THE ELDERLY HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED, AND MANY INTEREST GROUPS AND TRAINING CLASSES HAVE TO BE CONDUCTEU ELSEWHERE. THE STUDY ROOM, THE ACTIVITY ROOM AND THE NURSERY ON THE TOP FLOOR ARE ALSO SUFFERING VARIOUS DEGREES OF DISTURBANCES AND INCONVENIENCE, MR TSE SAID.
+THE CONTINUED OCCUPATION OF THE CENTRE BY FIRE VICTIMS WILL NOT ONLY DEPRIVE OTHER PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS TO USE THE CENTRE, BUT ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR OWN HEALTH AND FAMILY LIFE.+
MR TSE WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBSTRUCTIONS ANJ HIGH FIRE RISKS POSED BY FLIMSY STRUCTURES AND BED SPACES ERECTED BY THE SETTLERS AROUND THE OPEN CORRIDORS AND STAIRCASES WITH COMBUSTIBLES LIKE BAMBOO POLES, BLANKETS AND CLOTH.
HE ALSO WARNED THEM THAT NO COOKING WAS ALLOWED WITHIN THE CENTRE. THE SETTLERS SHOULD BEST KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION BEING THEMSELVES VICTIMS OF FIRE,+ HE SAID.
MEALS PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE WOULD BE DISCONTINUED TOMORROW (MONDAY). DURING THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, ABOUT 800 LUNCHES AND DINNERS A DAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE VICTIMS.
+IT WILL BE UNFAIR TO OTHER DISASTER VICTIMS AND THE COMMUNITY IF MEAL SUPPLIES ARE FURTHER EXTENDED, + MR TSE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES DUTY TEAMS WERE ALSO ON DUTY IN THE CENTRE AS AN EMERGENCY SERVICE AND THIS COULD NOT B MAINTAINED FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD.
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