People looking for family members in shelters

The Home Affairs Department has opened eight temporary shelters for residents affected by the fire; at least 700 people have used them.

At CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School in Kwong Fuk Estate, a temporary shelter has opened two floors of the assembly hall for residents to stay. Around a few dozen people are staying there.

Police officers are on site standing guard.

Large quantities of bottled water and dry rations are placed outside the entrance. Some residents say they still can't reach their family members; some people have come to the temporary shelter to search for relatives.

Some members of the public have also come on their own to deliver supplies.

A resident of Wang Fuk Court said: “My son (the last time we were in contact) was 8 p.m. He was hiding in the bathroom. Now I don't know—I don't know if he is living or dead. I can't get through to his phone.”

Ms. Fung from Wang Cheong House said:“I came back from outside. My mother is still in the flat—we didn't know yet. So I went in to look, to see whether they've lifted the cordon or what. I haven't been able to reach her after 8 p.m."

"When we realised something was wrong, it was too late to get out—there was probably a lot of smoke. I heard from neighbours that as soon as the fire started, there was already heavy smoke. In the end she went back home, together with an auntie neighbour. The auntie was online in the evening, but my mother was in such a hurry she didn't even take her phone. We have no way to find her now. The auntie and she are in the bathroom,”she said.

Mr. Lee, a member of the public delivering food said: “It's all food for firefighters and other frontline personnel."

"In the group chat, it says where help is needed, so we go there—for example, where water is needed, where masks are needed, where supplies are needed. They list which locations need what."

"It’s human nature—people have compassion. We all live in Hong Kong, so we want to help,”said Mr. Lee.