Just then, a sizable crowd of onlookers from the neighborhood gathered in the open space downstairs. The crowd raised their heads and looked at the top floor which was engulfed by thick black clouds of smoke.
A member of the property management's voice was amplified loudly by a loudspeaker.
"Everyone, be quiet! Keep calm! Keep a safe distance from the fire. We have called the fire department and the firemen will be here shortly!" "Why did the fire seem to start at the top floor? What about the people on the top floor?"
"Have all the people on the lower floors managed to evacuate? If you are fine, come and report to me!"
People were all talking and shouting over one another. It was a scene of utter chaos.
The fire had started on the penultimate floor of the building. Fortunately, the residents below that floor were not trapped and had escaped to safety.
Only Ethan and Janet were still caught in the fire since they lived on the top floor.
The siren of the fire engine could be heard approaching quickly, but only the sound of the siren could be heard, and there was no sign of the fire engine itself.
Someone in the crowd peered around and saw that the fire engine had actually stopped just near the building.
The firefighting access was originally unimpeded. Now there was a big truck parked at the entrance, which completely blocked the way of the fire engine.
What's more, this high-end community's pedestrian system was separated from the vehicle system. Except for the firefighting access, the fire engine had no way to approach the apartment building from the ground.
The property manager was so anxious that he shouted, "What's going on?! Where is the driver of that truck? This is a matter of life and death. We don't have a second to waste here!"
Many people couldn't stand idly anymore. They also tried to contact the driver to move the truck, but sadly no one recognized this truck and they had no idea who to call. "Damn it! There is no phone number left on the truck either. We have no way of contacting the driver!"
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