Video footage of the fire shows Presence its ignition , rapid growth Expansion , the billowing smoke that quickly made escape Departing impossible , and blocked Hiding_objects egress that further hindered Hindering evacuation .

The coral atoll surrounding Surrounding Truk 's islands created Creating a safe harbor where the few points of ingress and egress had been fortified Cause_change_of_strength by the Japanese with shore batteries , antiaircraft guns , and airfields .