Residents have continued searching for memorabilia in their fire-ravaged homes on the second day of pick-up sessions at Wang Fuk Court, with some seeking help from a robotic device and others expressing gratitude to neighbours who saved their lives during the blaze.

Wang Sun House residents on the middle floors began returning home on Tuesday, with opinions divided over whether three hours were enough to pack and bid farewell.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank my neighbour, who knocked on our door to alert my wife and me to escape when the fire broke out,” 40-year-old Jerry Cheung said.

About 6,000 residents have registered with the government to make trips back to their former homes to pick up personal belongings. The home-return arrangement is expected to wrap up on May 4.

Cheung, who lives on the 11th floor, said he was exercising to prepare for his return and hoped to bid farewell to his flat.

He said he would be accompanied by his wife and domestic worker to clear the flat and that three hours would be sufficient, as his unit was not severely damaged.

Some residents sought help from specialised equipment.

Tam, 55, who lives on the 17th floor, said he had purchased an exoskeleton assistive device at a discount from a mainland Chinese company.

Tam, accompanied by his wife, said his flat was so badly damaged that only two people could enter, with some areas accommodating just one person at a time.

He said the equipment helped reduce physical strain and urged the government to consider relaunching a programme to lend out such devices.

He was overcome with emotion when asked about his feelings on returning to the building.

“I think there is nothing left in my flat and I am feeling scared at the same time.”

A 45-year-old resident surnamed Chan described his trip to the 17th floor of his fire-damaged former home as a practical endeavour.

Chan said photos of the flat had shown only ash, dust and exposed metal frames in the aftermath of the inferno.

“It’s enough time, as there’s nothing left that can be packed,” Chan said.

The man, accompanied by his younger brother, said he hoped to salvage old photos with no digital copies, but did not feel the need to bid farewell to his flat.

“I can walk around Wang Fuk Court and look at the flat to feel it. It doesn’t make much difference to go inside,” Chan said.

But a resident in his 30s, surnamed Cheung, who lived on the middle floors of Wang Sun House, said three hours were simply not enough time to gather belongings.

As he went up to his flat on Tuesday morning, he brought traditional red-white-blue nylon bags for packing.

“I am not sure if this will be my last time back home,” he said, with tears welling up in his eyes.

He added that he hoped to retrieve photographs left behind in the flat.

Cheung’s grandmother, who had wanted to accompany him, decided not to go as she was recently discharged from hospital.

He said he would go up alone and make a video call to show her the flat.

Last November, the inferno engulfed seven of the estate’s eight blocks, killing 168 people and leaving nearly 5,000 displaced.

Under the return scheme, residents are generally allowed three hours in their flats, excluding time spent travelling on the stairs. Up to four people per household can visit their homes.

The first day saw 264 people make the trip back to their flats in Wang Sun House.

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Monday that people stayed in their flats for about one hour and 44 minutes on average, and some were able to make multiple trips.

Residents were given helmets and protective gloves before entering the building, which had no electricity.

Arrangements for residents at Wang Sun House are expected to be finished on Wednesday.

Authorities will then allow residents of another three blocks to return between April 23 and 28, before those from the last three towers can return between April 29 and May 4.

Additional reporting by Ng Kang-chung