Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option
 

______ eye witnesses, the news reporter gave a graphic description of how the fire broke. 

Quoting 

The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is quoting.

The word quoting means to repeat something that someone else has said. In this context, the news reporter is quoting the eye witnesses who saw the fire break out. They are telling the reporter what they saw and heard, and the reporter is repeating their words to the audience.

The other words do not fit the blank as well.

• Reporting means to give an account of something that has happened.
• Observing means to watch something carefully.
• Seeing means to perceive something with the eyes.