Devastated HK Inhabitants in Disbelief as Major Inferno Engulfs Housing Complexes
"Approaching the location, the heat intensifies and you can experience it, with the fumes being very thick."
Student an eyewitness was among the countless residents attracted to the site of a deadly inferno that swept through significant parts of the eight-block Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.
A minimum of 36 people have perished in Wednesday's destructive inferno currently, with many still unaccounted for, leading to expectations that this count will possibly rise.
"This is a catastrophe," the witness stated about the fire, mentioning that he had seen a body being taken away from the area.
More than a one thousand other residents were forced to evacuate the estate as the blaze advanced, with several going to emergency shelters that have been organized to accommodate them.
The blaze is progressively being contained, but authorities state they cannot determine when it will be completely extinguished.
Fire could be witnessed issuing from individual apartments as many residents looked on in stillness.
"I'm heartbroken. There are so many neighbours and community members. I cannot comprehend what is occurring now. Look, all the apartments are just burning. I cannot determine what to achieve. I wish the authorities can support us to find stability after this."
One local woman mentioned that her friends dwell inside the complex and she was staying to hear if they succeeded to evacuate.
Harry Cheung, who has resided in building number two of the housing complex for over forty annums, mentioned hearing "a very loud noise" and observing blaze erupt in a nearby building.
"I immediately went inside to pack up my things," the 66-year-old inhabitant commented.
"I am uncertain how I personally at this moment. I'm just pondering about where I'm going to rest this evening because I likely cannot go back home."
While the cause of the blaze that overwhelmed the numerous high-rise buildings remains unknown, the flames are suspected to have spread quickly through the temporary structures that surrounded the buildings, which were in the process of improvements.
Numerous people have voiced frustration that such a massive blaze could have taken place and questioned the emergency measures.
"In cases where there's a forest fire, they will employ helicopters and release water bombs, but why is there zero response and how can they permit further complexes burning?" questioned a different inhabitant of the estate.
"Our neighborhood is so proximate to the fire station and we thought the blaze could be extinguished soon, but now the blaze has expanded. I'm so disappointed," she explained.
The resident noted that she had been given no instructions from the local administration on where to obtain assistance.
Multiple Tai Po community members had delivered essentials to the victims - consisting of numerous of warm layers and warming devices.
Upon questioning about their sentiments regarding the blaze, residents voiced that "local administration is unprepared" and that they were "extremely distraught".
"We hope not to experience any additional casualties," remarked a resident.
An elderly female who resides in a unit within the affected buildings stated she was not at home when the incident ignited but that she is worried about her apartment because it is without coverage.
"I'm profoundly distressed that I have no home to return to now," she concluded.
