At least 36 people were killed and hundreds are missing after a fire engulfed several high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district Wednesday.
John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, bamboo scaffolding of the towers engulfed in flames and thick, dark smoke pouring out of multiple floors.
Chan Kwong-tak, an 83-year-old retiree living in the community, smell of smoke. He said they were only warned when a security guard knocked on their doors, giving them little time to get out.
The Tai Po District Office opened temporary shelters for people in need at the Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street Community Hall.