Overwhelmed Hong Kong Residents in Disbelief as Major Fire Ravages Housing Blocks
"Approaching the area, the temperature intensifies and you can feel it, with the fumes being very dense."
Student a local student was among the countless people attracted to the location of a tragic blaze that ravaged much of the eight-block Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's northern district.
At least 36 residents have perished in the recent destructive blaze so far, with hundreds still unaccounted for, indicating that this figure will probably increase.
"This is a catastrophe," Thomas remarked about the blaze, adding that he had witnessed a body being removed from the scene.
Over a 1,000 other residents were forced to leave the estate as the flames expanded, with some making their way to temporary centers that have been organized to shelter them.
The inferno is slowly being controlled, but authorities state they are uncertain when it will be completely eliminated.
Blazes could be seen issuing from separate homes as many onlookers looked on in stillness.
"I feel devastated. There are so many neighbours and community members. I do not know what is going on any longer. Look, all the units are just on fire. I am unsure what to achieve. I hope the local administration can support us to settle down after this."
An local woman stated that her acquaintances reside inside the building and she was remaining to discover if they were able to escape.
Harry Cheung, who has dwelled in building number two of the residential estate for over forty years, mentioned hearing "a tremendous explosion" and seeing blaze ignite in a nearby structure.
"I quickly went to my apartment to gather my belongings," the 66-year-old inhabitant stated.
"I don't even know how I emotionally at this moment. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to stay tonight because I likely will not go re-enter my residence."
While the cause of the blaze that consumed the numerous tall blocks is still unknown, the fire are suspected to have quickly advanced through the temporary structures that enveloped the complexes, which were experiencing improvements.
Numerous individuals have demonstrated outrage that such a significant fire could have happened and criticised the reaction.
"In cases where there's a wildfire, they will employ choppers and drop extinguishing materials, but why is there zero action and how can they allow other complexes ablaze?" questioned one more inhabitant of the estate.
"This area is so near to the fire station and we thought the fire could be extinguished rapidly, but now the blaze has expanded. I'm so disappointed," she explained.
The woman noted that she had been offered no instructions from the government on where to find support.
Multiple local residents had delivered necessities to the impacted residents - comprising many of blankets and warming devices.
When asked about their emotions regarding the tragedy, inhabitants voiced that "authorities is unprepared" and that they were "immensely distraught".
"We hope not to see any additional fatalities," commented a resident.
A senior female who resides in a unit within the impacted blocks mentioned she was absent when the incident ignited but that she is concerned about her residence because it is without coverage.
"I'm extremely upset that I have no residence to go to currently," she concluded.
