Devastated Hong Kong Residents Shocked as Major Fire Ravages Apartment Blocks
"Getting closer to the scene, the heat rises and you can feel it, with the haze being very thick."
Young scholar a local student was among the many people gathered at the scene of a tragic blaze that swept through much of the eight-building Wang Fuk Court in the region's Tai Po district.
No fewer than 36 people have perished in Wednesday's devastating blaze to date, with numerous still missing, indicating that this figure will possibly increase.
"It's a catastrophe," the student commented about the incident, mentioning that he had observed a deceased person being removed from the scene.
More than a 1,000 other people were forced to evacuate the development as the fire spread, with many making their way to established facilities that have been organized to shelter them.
The fire is gradually being managed, but officials report they do not know when it will be fully put out.
Blazes could be observed emanating from individual units as numerous residents watched in quiet.
"I feel overwhelmed. The building contains so countless neighbours and friends. I have no idea what is going on anymore. Observe, all the units are just ablaze. I cannot determine what to achieve. I pray the local administration can support us to rebuild after this."
An local woman stated that her neighbors dwell inside the complex and she was remaining to learn if they were able to escape.
An elderly inhabitant, who has lived in the second building of the housing complex for over 40 years, described listening to "a very loud noise" and witnessing fire erupt in a close structure.
"I immediately went inside to pack up my belongings," the senior occupant remarked.
"I cannot comprehend how I personally at this moment. I'm just considering about where I'm going to rest tonight because I likely won't be able to go return to my home."
Even though the source of the blaze that consumed the multiple tall blocks remains undetermined, the fire are thought to have quickly advanced through the bamboo scaffolding that covered the buildings, which were in the process of refurbishments.
Numerous people have expressed outrage that such a significant incident could have taken place and challenged the reaction.
"When there's a wildfire, they will employ helicopters and drop extinguishing materials, but why is there no such deployment and how can they allow further buildings on fire?" inquired another occupant of Wang Fuk Court.
"Our neighborhood is so close to the emergency response center and we thought the blaze could be extinguished quickly, but now the flames has spread. I'm so disheartened," she continued.
The resident mentioned that she had been provided minimal direction from the authorities on where to find support.
Numerous Tai Po community members had provided essentials to the affected individuals - consisting of many of warm layers and heat packs.
When asked about their sentiments regarding the tragedy, inhabitants stated that "local administration is ineffective" and that they were "extremely devastated".
"We hope not to witness any additional casualties," commented a resident.
An elderly woman who lives in an apartment in the affected blocks mentioned she was absent when the blaze broke out but that she is anxious about her apartment because it is uninsured.
"I'm profoundly distressed that I have nowhere to return to currently," she added.
