“Hang in there.” These were the last hopeful words Mr Chung told his wife as a massive fire blazed through their 31-storey public housing building in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. On Wednesday afternoon, the fire erupted at the Wang Cheong House, one of seven tower blocks engulfed in flames. Mr Chung’s wife called him panicked, trapped inside their flat with their beloved cat and thick black smoke filling the corridors. He rushed home, only to find a nightmare—seven of eight buildings in the estate burning fiercely, black smoke pouring out like a storm. The fire took firefighters almost 24 hours to control, claiming at least 128 lives so far. Sadly, nearly 300 people, including Mr Chung’s wife, are still missing. Many residents told the BBC there was no alarm to warn them, making escape even harder. Mr Chung and his brother spent a painful night outside, repeatedly asking firefighters for news but hearing none. The calls between him and his wife became desperate. "She was about to faint as the smoke thickened," Mr Chung shared with BBC Chinese, tears in his eyes. "She probably did faint. I dare not call her again." He fears the worst but holds onto a faint hope. “She passed away with our cat, who she loves,” he said, breaking down. His wife was the only family member at home that day. The cause of the fire is unclear but may be linked to recent renovations using flammable materials and unsafe scaffolding. The estate, built in 1983, houses many elderly—nearly 40% over 65 years old. This makes escape tougher and likely explains many trapped residents. Families like Ms Fung’s are still searching. She lost contact with her mother, last hiding in a toilet with a neighbor. Angry at police who suggested her mother might have escaped, she shouted, "You know much better than us how badly burnt Wang Cheong House is!" Social media flows with heartbreaking pleas—missing grandparents, children, even pets. A mother’s disturbing message: "I still can't find my baby girl. It's nearly 30 hours with no updates… now, I am afraid there is no hope." Residents criticize the costly renovations, which went ahead despite objections due to the heavy fees and safety doubts. Authorities arrested three construction executives, accusing them of “gross negligence” after findings of substandard materials like flammable mesh and styrofoam wrapping windows. Elderly residents like Grandma Chan and Grandma Wu recount terrifying moments but also their survival stories—warnings came not from alarms but phone calls. Grandma Wu even refused to leave her flat, saying, “I have to sit here and watch how this goes. My heart will only be at peace after the fire is extinguished.” Survivors now face the next challenge—loss of homes, life savings, and uncertain futures. Kyle Ho, who bought a subsidized unit with his parents, said, "The worst-case scenario is that we have lost our flat. But the most important thing is that all of us are safe. We are luckier than many other families." The Hong Kong government announced HK$10,000 cash relief for displaced families and a HK$300 million assistance fund, trying to ease the pain. For now, hope flickers on. Rescue efforts continue, with officials pledging, "We haven't given up." Mr Chung echoes this hope fiercely: "I want to rescue her – whether she’s alive or gone." Amid the flames and tears, the city waits and prays for survivors.