“When you get closer the heat rises and you can feel it and the smoke is really heavy.”
That was the observation of student Thomas Liu, one of many who gathered near the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district as a deadly fire engulfed much of the eight-block estate.
The devastating blaze, which occurred on Wednesday, has claimed at least 44 lives thus far. With hundreds still unaccounted for, authorities anticipate the death toll will likely rise. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“It’s a disaster,” Liu told the BBC, adding that he witnessed a body being removed from the scene.
“Many people sent us WhatsApp messages or called us, saying they still have relatives inside or can’t find them,” noted Mui Siu-fung, a councillor for the Tai Po district, speaking to BBC Chinese.
As the flames spread, over a thousand residents were evacuated from the estate, with some seeking refuge in temporary shelters established to accommodate them. Police also evacuated individuals from nearby buildings as a precautionary measure.
Efforts to contain the fire are ongoing, but officials have not provided a timeline for full extinguishment. Witnesses observed flames emanating from individual apartments as many watched in somber silence.
One woman reported that friends reside within the affected building and that she was anxiously awaiting confirmation of their safe evacuation.
Harry Cheung, a resident of Wang Fuk Court block two for over 40 years, recounted to Reuters hearing “a very loud noise” before witnessing fire erupt in a neighboring block.
“I immediately went back to pack up my things,” the 66-year-old resident shared.
“I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m just thinking about where I’m going to sleep tonight because I probably won’t be able to go back home.”
Kam, a woman in her sixties residing in the adjacent Kwong Fuk Estate, informed the South China Morning Post (SCMP) that while some of her friends in Wang Fuk Court have been located, others remain unaccounted for.
Ms. Kam expressed concern for a friend who habitually takes afternoon naps and may have been asleep when the fire ignited at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT), adding that the woman’s daughters have been unable to reach her.
Another resident, 65-year-old Jason Kong, told Reuters that a neighbor had contacted him, reporting that he was trapped inside one of the tower blocks.
“I am devastated. There are so many neighbors and friends. I do not know what is going on anymore. Look, all the apartments are just burning. I do not know what to do. I hope the government can help us to settle down after this.”
An elderly woman, a resident of one of the affected blocks, told the BBC that she was away from home when the fire broke out. She voiced concerns about her uninsured apartment.
“I’m very upset that I have no home to go to now,” she lamented.
While the exact cause of the fire is undetermined, preliminary assessments suggest the flames may have spread rapidly through the bamboo scaffolding enveloping the buildings, which were undergoing renovation work.
Some individuals have voiced anger and criticized the response to the massive fire.
“When there’s a wildfire, they will deploy helicopters and drop water bombs, but why is there no such deployment and how can they leave other buildings burning?” questioned Ms. Poon, a Wang Fuk Court resident in her sixties.
“The community is so close to the fire station and we thought the fire could be put out soon, but now the fire has spread. I’m so disappointed,” she told the SCMP.
Ms. Poon also noted that she had received no guidance from the government regarding where to seek assistance.
The BBC spoke to residents of Tai Po who had brought supplies, including blankets and heat packs, to aid the victims and those displaced by the fire.
Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, stated that government departments were actively assisting residents affected by the fire.
When the residents were asked about their feelings regarding the fire, they responded that “the government is incompetent” and that they were “immensely heartbroken.”
“We don’t want to see any more casualties,” one resident concluded.
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