Overwhelmed Hong Kong Inhabitants in Disbelief as Massive Blaze Ravages Residential Blocks
"Getting closer to the area, the heat intensifies and you can sense it, with the fumes being extremely heavy."
Student Thomas Liu was among the many residents gathered at the scene of a deadly inferno that ravaged significant parts of the multi-block Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po area.
A minimum of 36 residents have died in Wednesday's devastating inferno to date, with hundreds still not located, indicating that this figure will possibly increase.
"This is a tragedy," the witness commented about the incident, adding that he had observed a body being taken away from the scene.
In excess of a thousand additional individuals were required to leave the development as the blaze expanded, with many making their way to temporary facilities that have been set up to house them.
The blaze is progressively being controlled, but authorities report they are uncertain when it will be entirely eliminated.
Flames could be observed issuing from specific apartments as numerous people looked on in quiet.
"I'm overwhelmed. The building contains so countless neighbours and community members. I have no idea what is going on anymore. See, all the apartments are just on fire. I do not know what to accomplish. I pray the government can assist us to settle down after this."
A woman explained that her neighbors dwell inside the structure and she was staying to hear if they were able to evacuate.
A long-term resident, who has dwelled in block two of the Wang Fuk Court for over 40 annums, mentioned listening to "a tremendous explosion" and seeing fire ignite in a adjacent building.
"I promptly went inside to collect my belongings," the senior resident remarked.
"I cannot comprehend how I emotionally currently. I'm just considering about where I'm going to stay this evening because I probably cannot go return to my home."
Even though the source of the inferno that engulfed the multiple high-rise blocks continues to be unidentified, the fire are believed to have quickly advanced through the construction framework that enveloped the complexes, which were experiencing refurbishments.
Numerous individuals have voiced outrage that such a massive blaze could have happened and questioned the emergency measures.
"In cases where there's a forest fire, they will employ helicopters and drop extinguishing materials, but why is there zero action and how can they leave further structures on fire?" questioned another occupant of Wang Fuk Court.
"The community is so near to the fire station and we assumed the inferno could be put out rapidly, but now the blaze has expanded. I'm so disappointed," she continued.
The woman noted that she had been offered no instructions from the government on where to obtain support.
Numerous Tai Po inhabitants had delivered supplies to the impacted residents - comprising many of coverings and heat packs.
Upon questioning about their sentiments regarding the blaze, residents voiced that "the government is incompetent" and that they were "extremely devastated".
"We don't want to experience any additional victims," remarked a resident.
An older lady who dwells in an apartment in the affected blocks stated she was away when the blaze ignited but that she is worried about her apartment because it is without coverage.
"I'm very troubled that I have no home to return to at present," she remarked.
