When you get closer the heat rises and you can feel it and the smoke is really heavy. Student Thomas Liu was one of many drawn to the scene of a devastating fire that tore through much of the eight-block Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.
At least 36 people have died in Wednesday's inferno, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
It's a disaster, Thomas said, recounting witnessing the removal of victims. Many residents like Mui Siu-fung received frantic messages from family members trapped in the blazing apartments.
More than a thousand residents were evacuated as flames spread, with some taking refuge in emergency shelters. Although firefighters are gradually controlling the blaze, officials cannot predict when it will be fully extinguished.
Witnesses shared accounts of the scene's horror, with flames visible leaping from individual apartments in silence as helpless onlookers waited for news about loved ones. Many residents expressed anger about the emergency services' response, questioning why aerial support was not deployed despite the severity of the fire.
The fire is believed to have spread rapidly through scaffolding surrounding the building undergoing renovations, prompting outrage from the community about safety measures. The community is so close to the fire station, and we thought the fire could be put out soon, but now it has spread. I'm so disappointed, lamented Ms. Poon, a resident.
In response to the calamity, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee stated that government departments are assisting those affected. However, many residents felt abandoned, questioning the government's competence and stating they were heartbroken by the incident.
Amid the chaos, community members mobilized to aid the victims, collecting blankets and supplies as they rallied together during this tragic time.}
At least 36 people have died in Wednesday's inferno, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
It's a disaster, Thomas said, recounting witnessing the removal of victims. Many residents like Mui Siu-fung received frantic messages from family members trapped in the blazing apartments.
More than a thousand residents were evacuated as flames spread, with some taking refuge in emergency shelters. Although firefighters are gradually controlling the blaze, officials cannot predict when it will be fully extinguished.
Witnesses shared accounts of the scene's horror, with flames visible leaping from individual apartments in silence as helpless onlookers waited for news about loved ones. Many residents expressed anger about the emergency services' response, questioning why aerial support was not deployed despite the severity of the fire.
The fire is believed to have spread rapidly through scaffolding surrounding the building undergoing renovations, prompting outrage from the community about safety measures. The community is so close to the fire station, and we thought the fire could be put out soon, but now it has spread. I'm so disappointed, lamented Ms. Poon, a resident.
In response to the calamity, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee stated that government departments are assisting those affected. However, many residents felt abandoned, questioning the government's competence and stating they were heartbroken by the incident.
Amid the chaos, community members mobilized to aid the victims, collecting blankets and supplies as they rallied together during this tragic time.}
