Fear, smoke, and chaos gripped Hong Kong residents on Thursday as families gathered at a temporary shelter, waiting anxiously for news after one of the city’s worst residential tower fires in recent years.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the fast-moving blaze destroyed several floors of a high-rise building, leaving residents homeless and traumatised.
Many survivors described escaping through thick smoke, intense heat, and dark stairwells — with only moments to spare.
Residents Describe Terrifying Escape
Witnesses say the fire spread rapidly, creating panic as alarms blared across the tower.
Survivors recalled:
Crawling through smoke-filled corridors
Screaming for missing family members
Breaking windows to breathe fresh air
Rushing down overcrowded staircases
One resident told AFP, “It felt like the whole building was collapsing. We could not see anything — only smoke everywhere.”
Another, who lost her apartment entirely, said tearfully: “Our home… gone in flames. We escaped with nothing but our clothes.”
Families Wait for Updates at Emergency Shelter
Dozens of families gathered at a temporary shelter set up by authorities, desperately trying to contact missing relatives.
Inside the shelter:
Children cried in fear
Elderly residents sat wrapped in blankets
Volunteers distributed water and masks
Police, rescue teams, and counsellors assisted survivors
The mood remained heavy as lists of survivors slowly circulated.
Firefighters Battled Intense Flames
First responders faced difficult conditions, including:
Dense smoke
High-rise structural challenges
Falling debris
High wind that intensified flames
Firefighters reportedly conducted window rescues, breaking through apartment glass to reach trapped residents.
After several hours of continuous work, the blaze was finally brought under control.
Possible Cause Under Investigation
Authorities have begun examining the building to determine what triggered the fire. Early reports suggest it may have started:
In a mid-level apartment unit
Possibly due to electrical malfunction or flammable storage
However, officials say it is too early to confirm the cause.
Displacement and Loss
Many families have lost:
Entire homes
Personal belongings
Documents
Pets
Sense of security
Local NGOs have begun offering emergency support, including temporary accommodation and essential supplies.
City Leaders Promise Full Support
Hong Kong officials assured residents that:
Temporary housing will be arranged
Medical help and counselling are available
A full investigation will be conducted
Building safety compliance will be reviewed
The incident has reignited debates about fire safety standards in densely populated high-rise structures.
FAQs
1. Where did the Hong Kong tower fire occur?
Inside a high-rise residential building; exact location under official review.
2. What caused the fire?
Authorities are still investigating the cause; early indications point to an internal apartment source.
3. Were residents evacuated safely?
Firefighters rescued many, but several residents are still awaiting confirmation of missing family members.
4. What support is being provided to survivors?
Temporary shelters, counselling, emergency supplies, and temporary housing assistance.
5. Is the building still dangerous?
Safety inspections are underway to assess structural damage and risks.
Published on : 27th November
Published by : SMITA
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Source Credit: Content inspired by reporting from Agence France-Presse (AFP), .