A foreign domestic worker in Hong Kong is receiving widespread acclaim for her extraordinary bravery during a devastating five-alarm residential fire earlier this month, where she secured a miraculous escape for herself and her employer’s infant, descending 23 flights of stairs amidst the chaos. The incident occurred on December 1, 2025, at the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, where the massive blaze claimed multiple lives and resulted in numerous injuries and missing persons, including several foreign domestic helpers. The quick-thinking actions of the worker, who utilized a live video feed to warn her compatriots while fleeing, underscored the deep bonds of care and resilience often demonstrated by the city’s large community of overseas Filipino workers.
The helper, Nerrissa Catabay, who had been employed at the high-rise residence for approximately six months, recounted her terrifying experience shortly after the evacuation. As the fire rapidly consumed the building, likely exacerbated by fierce winds, Ms. Catabay instinctively secured the infant. Ignoring personal safety protocols like locking doors or windows, her singular focus was rapid egress. Finding the fire alarms non-functional and the elevators useless, her only option was the stairwell.
She described the terrifying descent from the 23rd floor, hearing screams while the intense winds propelled the flames rapidly. Critically, during the early stages of her escape, Ms. Catabay initiated a live broadcast via her mobile phone. This real-time transmission served as an urgent, visual warning to fellow domestic workers in the vicinity, describing the scene as “very terrible, it’s like a hell.” Footage captured shortly after reaching ground level showed Ms. Catabay, visibly shaken and crying, clutching the baby while running and shouting warnings about the burning building. She briefly paused her descent near the 11th floor, overwhelmed by shaking and fear of fainting, before continuing to safety.
Despite the successful escape, both Ms. Catabay and her employers suffered complete loss of their belongings in the blaze. She is currently staying with her employer’s relatives and grappling with severe trauma, reporting intense difficulty sleeping. However, her actions have garnered immense praise globally. Netizens quickly dubbed her a “superhero” for her presence of mind, sense of responsibility, and sheer physical endurance in carrying the child down dozens of floors. Her decision to live-stream during the emergency was specifically cited as a powerful testament to her commitment to alerting and protecting others.
Exemplary Courage Among Peers
Ms. Catabay was not alone in demonstrating heroic conduct. Another Filipino domestic worker, Rhodora Alcaraz, who recently arrived in Hong Kong, also exhibited extraordinary courage. Trapped temporarily with her employers and their three-month-old daughter, Ms. Alcaraz reportedly helped shield and protect the infant throughout the ordeal.
Her bravery was officially acknowledged by the Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which praised Ms. Alcaraz for refusing to flee alone and prioritizing the safety of the infant. The agency lauded her as a “true modern-day heroine” and an exemplar of the dedication characteristic of overseas Filipino workers. Separately, Philippine Senator Imee R. Marcos visited Ms. Alcaraz at Kwong Wah Hospital, commending her for her selfless actions during the disaster. The response of these two women highlights the profound sacrifices and quiet heroism routinely displayed by foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong during crises. Efforts are ongoing to support all victims affected by the catastrophic fire.