When you get closer the heat rises and you can feel it and the smoke is really heavy, recounts Thomas Liu, a student drawn to the scene of a deadly fire that tore through the eight-block Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.
At least 36 people have died in this tragic blaze, with hundreds still unaccounted for, raising the grim possibility that the death toll may rise further. The origins of the fire remain unknown.
As Liu described the harrowing scene, he witnessed the police removing bodies. It's a disaster, he stated, as the community grapples with loss.
District councillor Mui Siu-fung relayed concerning news, with numerous residents unable to locate missing relatives. Over a thousand others were forced to evacuate as the flames engulfed the buildings. Temporary shelters have been established to accommodate displaced residents.
The fire is reportedly being contained, but there is uncertainty regarding when it might be fully extinguished. With flames visible emerging from several apartments, helpless witnesses can only watch.
Harry Cheung, a long-time resident of the area, described hearing a loud noise before seeing flames erupt nearby. I immediately went back to pack up my things, the 66-year-old recounted, expressing concern about where he would sleep for the night.
Residents such as a woman named Kam worry about friends who might be trapped inside. Others like Jason Kong are receiving distressing calls from neighbors still trapped inside the inferno.
As both anguish and anger manifest regarding the response to the emergency, some residents have called for better measures, voicing frustration about the perceived inadequate response to the fire.
Chief Executive John Lee assured that government departments are actively assisting the victims, but many residents express deep disillusionment as they reflect on their losses and what comes next.
