At least 13 dead as fire engulfs Hong Kong high-rise residential buildings

"Firefighters battled the blaze into the night as thick, black smoke billowed from the 31-storey towers and orange flames lit up the sky. Nine people were declared dead at the scene and four sent to hospital were later confirmed dead, said the Fire Services Department, which upgraded the blaze to a level five alarm the highest level after nightfall. At least 15 people were injured, and local media reported that some residents were believed to be trapped inside the buildings."

"Chan Derek Armstrong, deputy director of Hong Kong's Fire Services Department, told reporters that the fire spread rapidly and authorities received numerous calls for help from residents. Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings are falling down, so [that poses] additional danger to our frontline personnel, he said, adding that the temperature inside the buildings remained very high. It's quite difficult for us to enter the buildings and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations, he said."

A major fire engulfed multiple 31-storey apartment towers at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong. At least 13 people died and a minimum of 15 were injured, with some residents believed to be trapped. Firefighters battled thick black smoke and orange flames into the night as rescue efforts continued. The Fire Services Department upgraded the incident to a level five alarm after nightfall. Debris and scaffolding fell from the buildings and internal temperatures remained very high, making entry and upstairs firefighting and rescue operations extremely difficult and dangerous.

Read at www.aljazeera.com