Hong Kong fire: Nearly 300 missing as fire continues to burn

Hong Kong authorities announced that some roads and schools were closed on Thursday, as the city reels from the devastating fire.

The Transport Department listed a number of roads that were closed as a result of the fire, including parts of Tai Po Road and the roads leading the Tolo Highway to Tai Po Road in Yuen Chau Tsai, Hong Kong's public broadcaster RTHK reported.

Public transport services have also been disrupted, with dozens of bus routes diverted, the department said.

The Education Bureau also announced that classes have been suspended in a number of primary and secondary schools in the area. Other schools were also given the option to cancel classes.

Residents who survived the massive blaze might count themselves lucky to have survived, but they have lost their homes, and many are worried about loved ones still trapped in the burning estate.

A 71-year-old resident surnamed Wong broke down in tears, the Reuters news agency reported. His wife was trapped inside, he said.

Another, a 66-year-old Harry Cheung, has lived in one of the complexes for over 40 years. He said he heard a loud noise around 2:45 p.m. (6:45 a.m. GMT) then saw the fire as it started in a block nearby.

"I immediately went back to pack up my things," he told Reuters. "I don't even know how I feel right now. I'm just thinking about where I'm going to sleep tonight."

A 65-year-old surnamed Yuen told the AFP news agency that the neighborhood houses many elderly residents and wheelchair users. He added that due to the maintenance work on the estate, many residents kept their windows shut and had therefore missed the fire alarm.

"There is loss of property and loss of life, and even a firefighter has died," Yuen said, adding that he and his wife had been left homeless.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said he was "deeply saddened" by the fire, adding that all government departments were assisting the affected residents.

"The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped," Lee told reporters. "The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, we'll launch a thorough investigation."

From mainland China, President Xi Jinping offered his condolences to the victims, including "the firefighter who died in the line of duty."

Xi urged an "all-out effort" to extinguish the fire and to minimize casualties and losses, China's state broadcaster CCTV said.