Devastated HK Locals Shocked as Major Inferno Engulfs Apartment Buildings
"Moving near the scene, the heat intensifies and you can experience it, with the fumes being particularly thick."
Young scholar Thomas Liu was among the many people attracted to the site of a fatal inferno that ravaged significant parts of the eight-building Wang Fuk Court in the city's Tai Po area.
At least 36 residents have lost their lives in yesterday's destructive inferno so far, with many still unaccounted for, indicating that this figure will probably increase.
"We're facing a tragedy," the witness stated about the blaze, mentioning that he had witnessed a victim being transported from the location.
Over a thousand further individuals were required to vacate the complex as the fire advanced, with many going to emergency shelters that have been set up to accommodate them.
The inferno is gradually being managed, but emergency responders indicate they cannot determine when it will be completely put out.
Fire could be seen emanating from separate apartments as many onlookers observed in quiet.
"I am heartbroken. The building contains so countless neighbours and friends. I have no idea what is going on anymore. Look, all the apartments are just ablaze. I cannot determine what to accomplish. I pray the government can assist us to settle down after this."
A local woman explained that her neighbors live inside the complex and she was waiting to discover if they were able to get out.
A long-term resident, who has resided in block two of the Wang Fuk Court for in excess of four decades years, recalled perceiving "a very loud noise" and observing flames break out in a nearby block.
"I immediately went back to pack up my belongings," the senior occupant remarked.
"I am uncertain how I feel right now. I'm just considering about where I'm going to rest tonight because I almost certainly will not go return to my home."
Even though the cause of the fire that consumed the several high-rise blocks is still undetermined, the fire are thought to have rapidly expanded through the bamboo scaffolding that covered the buildings, which were in the process of improvements.
Several individuals have voiced outrage that such a massive incident could have happened and challenged the response.
"During there's a wildfire, they will utilize choppers and drop extinguishing materials, but why is there zero action and how can they leave other structures on fire?" asked a different resident of Wang Fuk Court.
"This area is so near to the emergency response center and we believed the fire could be put out rapidly, but now the fire has expanded. I'm so disheartened," she explained.
The resident mentioned that she had been offered no instructions from the government on where to seek assistance.
Multiple Tai Po residents had delivered necessities to the victims - including numerous of blankets and thermal aids.
When asked about their sentiments regarding the fire, residents expressed that "authorities is ineffective" and that they were "immensely devastated".
"We don't want to witness any additional casualties," said a resident.
An elderly lady who resides in one of the impacted buildings explained she was not at home when the fire broke out but that she is worried about her apartment because it is without coverage.
"I'm profoundly upset that I have nowhere to inhabit currently," she remarked.
