Heartbroken Hong Kong Inhabitants in Disbelief as Massive Blaze Ravages Apartment Buildings
"Getting closer to the scene, the temperature increases and you can feel it, with the smoke being extremely dense."
Student a local student was among the countless individuals attracted to the location of a tragic fire that ravaged significant parts of the eight-building Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's northern district.
No fewer than thirty-six people have perished in yesterday's destructive fire currently, with hundreds still not located, indicating that this number will likely increase.
"This is a disaster," the student commented about the incident, noting that he had seen a victim being removed from the area.
More than a one thousand further residents were forced to leave the development as the fire expanded, with many going to temporary shelters that have been established to accommodate them.
The inferno is slowly being controlled, but officials report they do not know when it will be entirely extinguished.
Flames could be seen coming from separate apartments as many onlookers watched in quiet.
"I feel devastated. We have so countless neighbors and friends. I cannot comprehend what is happening anymore. Look, all the homes are just on fire. I do not know what to do. I wish the local administration can assist us to rebuild after this."
One local woman stated that her acquaintances live inside the structure and she was waiting to learn if they succeeded to get out.
An elderly inhabitant, who has resided in block two of the residential estate for over four decades years, mentioned perceiving "a very loud noise" and witnessing blaze ignite in a adjacent building.
"I immediately went inside to pack up my things," the senior resident remarked.
"I cannot comprehend how I emotionally at this moment. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep this evening because I probably won't be able to go back home."
Although the origin of the inferno that engulfed the numerous high-rise structures continues to be unknown, the fire are believed to have spread quickly through the temporary structures that enveloped the buildings, which were experiencing refurbishments.
Some residents have voiced outrage that such a significant fire could have happened and questioned the response.
"In cases where there's a brush fire, they will utilize helicopters and dispense water bombs, but why is there zero action and how can they leave additional buildings on fire?" inquired a different resident of Wang Fuk Court.
"This area is so near to the fire department and we assumed the inferno could be extinguished quickly, but presently the blaze has spread. I'm so disheartened," she added.
The woman mentioned that she had been given little guidance from the authorities on where to obtain support.
Numerous area residents had delivered necessities to the impacted residents - consisting of dozens of warm layers and warming devices.
During interviews about their emotions regarding the tragedy, inhabitants voiced that "local administration is incompetent" and that they were "profoundly heartbroken".
"We desire not to see any further victims," remarked an individual.
A senior lady who lives in one of the impacted buildings stated she was not at home when the incident broke out but that she is worried about her home because it is uninsured.
"I'm extremely distressed that I have no home to return to at present," she concluded.
