Heartbroken HK Residents in Disbelief as Large-Scale Inferno Engulfs Residential Blocks
"Moving near the area, the heat rises and you can feel it, with the haze being extremely thick."
Student an eyewitness was among the many residents attracted to the scene of a deadly blaze that ravaged large portions of the eight-building residential estate in the city's Tai Po area.
At least over three dozen individuals have died in Wednesday's devastating blaze currently, with many still unaccounted for, leading to expectations that this figure will possibly increase.
"It's a catastrophe," the student stated about the blaze, adding that he had witnessed a body being transported from the area.
Over a 1,000 additional residents were compelled to evacuate the development as the blaze expanded, with some going to temporary facilities that have been set up to accommodate them.
The fire is progressively being managed, but officials indicate they are uncertain when it will be fully extinguished.
Flames could be seen emanating from individual units as many residents observed in quiet.
"I am overwhelmed. The building contains so countless neighbors and acquaintances. I have no idea what is occurring anymore. See, all the homes are just on fire. I do not know what to do. I hope the authorities can assist us to rebuild after this."
A woman explained that her neighbors reside inside the building and she was waiting to discover if they succeeded to escape.
An elderly inhabitant, who has dwelled in the second building of the residential estate for over four decades years, mentioned perceiving "a very loud noise" and observing blaze break out in a close block.
"I immediately went back to pack up my things," the 66-year-old occupant stated.
"I don't even know how I feel at this moment. I'm just considering about where I'm going to sleep tonight because I likely won't be able to go re-enter my residence."
While the cause of the blaze that engulfed the numerous multi-story buildings continues to be undetermined, the blaze are believed to have quickly advanced through the temporary structures that covered the complexes, which were in the process of refurbishments.
Numerous people have expressed outrage that such a massive fire could have taken place and questioned the reaction.
"During there's a brush fire, they will utilize aircraft and dispense extinguishing materials, but why is there no such action and how can they leave other buildings ablaze?" asked a different occupant of Wang Fuk Court.
"Our neighborhood is so near to the fire department and we thought the inferno could be controlled quickly, but presently the flames has spread. I'm so discouraged," she added.
She stated that she had been offered little guidance from the local administration on where to seek assistance.
Multiple local residents had brought necessities to the impacted residents - including dozens of blankets and warming devices.
During interviews about their feelings regarding the blaze, residents voiced that "local administration is incompetent" and that they were "immensely devastated".
"We desire not to see any further fatalities," remarked an individual.
A senior woman who resides in one of the impacted blocks mentioned she was not at home when the incident ignited but that she is concerned about her residence because it is uninsured.
"I'm very upset that I have nowhere to inhabit now," she added.
