Heartbroken HK Locals Stunned as Massive Blaze Ravages Residential Blocks
"Moving near the location, the temperature increases and you can experience it, with the smoke being very thick."
University student a local student was among the countless residents attracted to the site of a fatal fire that engulfed significant parts of the eight-block housing complex in Hong Kong's northern district.
At least thirty-six people have lost their lives in Wednesday's destructive blaze so far, with hundreds still unaccounted for, indicating that this number will possibly increase.
"It's a disaster," the witness remarked about the incident, noting that he had seen a body being transported from the area.
Over a thousand further people were forced to leave the estate as the blaze spread, with some making their way to emergency facilities that have been set up to accommodate them.
The blaze is slowly being controlled, but authorities indicate they are uncertain when it will be entirely extinguished.
Fire could be witnessed issuing from specific homes as many onlookers looked on in quiet.
"I feel heartbroken. The building contains so countless friends and acquaintances. I do not know what is going on now. Look, all the homes are just burning. I do not know what to accomplish. I pray the local administration can help us to rebuild after this."
An woman mentioned that her acquaintances dwell inside the building and she was waiting to learn if they were able to get out.
Harry Cheung, who has dwelled in block two of the Wang Fuk Court for over forty years, recalled perceiving "a tremendous explosion" and observing fire break out in a adjacent building.
"I quickly went back to gather my belongings," the elderly occupant commented.
"I don't even know how I emotionally at this moment. I'm just pondering about where I'm going to rest this evening because I probably cannot go back home."
Although the origin of the inferno that consumed the numerous tall structures remains undetermined, the blaze are thought to have rapidly expanded through the construction framework that covered the buildings, which were in the process of improvements.
Several residents have voiced outrage that such a significant blaze could have happened and criticised the response.
"When there's a brush fire, they will employ choppers and release extinguishing materials, but why is there zero deployment and how can they leave other complexes burning?" questioned a different occupant of Wang Fuk Court.
"The community is so proximate to the fire station and we assumed the fire could be controlled quickly, but now the blaze has expanded. I'm so disappointed," she explained.
She stated that she had been given little guidance from the government on where to seek support.
Multiple Tai Po residents had delivered supplies to the impacted residents - comprising numerous of blankets and heat packs.
Upon questioning about their feelings regarding the blaze, locals voiced that "authorities is ineffective" and that they were "extremely heartbroken".
"We hope not to witness any additional casualties," commented one.
An elderly female who lives in one of the impacted blocks stated she was absent when the incident broke out but that she is anxious about her home because it is without coverage.
"I'm very upset that I have no residence to inhabit now," she remarked.
