At a recent media conference, the writer recalled that he had spent more than two months to interview a number of firefighters who had then risked their lives to enter the hazardous area, covering around 60,000 square meters, to rescue trapped people and put out the fire.

Actor Huang says that the actors had undergone a one-month-long training to master firefighting skills before they began filming.

"I still feel a bit scared when recalling the firefighting scenes. And it makes me respect Chinese firefighters and their bravery," says Huang.

A life-size replica of the oil tank storage area in Dalian port was built for the main firefighting sequences.