The war left many homes destroyed or damaged, and new arrivals could only settle in squatter huts. By 1953, the estimated squatter population was 250,000 to 300,000. As the huts were built of highly inflammable material and such facilities as water supply were below standard, these settlements were extremely vulnerable to fire.
The first big conflagration hit the squatters of Tung Tau Tsuen in 1951. Far more devastating was the Shek Kip Mei fire in 1953. The Government quickly rushed to the assistance of the 59,000 fire victims, providing emergency rations and throwing up the temporary "Bowring Bungalows" which served as a prelude to the Government resettlement housing program.
Credit : History Museum of HK.
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