At least 36 people have been killed in a major fire engulfing apartment blocks in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, with 279 people not accounted for.
More than 800 firefighters are at the scene trying to tackle the blaze at Wang Fuk Court - with Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee saying the fire is now coming under control.
A baby and an elderly woman have been rescued as the late-night emergency operations continue, local media reports.
The government has paid tribute to a 37-year-old firefighter who died fighting the blaze, describing him as "dedicated and gallant"
Residents are asking for help from local authorities after losing contact with relatives inside the buildings, a local councillor tells the BBC.
The fire has been classed as a level five - the most serious level in Hong Kong.
Within 40 minutes of first being reported, it was declared a level four, but by 18:22 (10:22 GMT), about three and a half hours later, the level was raised again.
It has been 17 years since a level five fire last hit Hong Kong.
Earlier, local media reported that explosions could be heard inside the buildings and fire hoses could not easily reach the higher levels.
An emergency monitoring and support centre is in operation to manage the impact of the fire, Security Secretary Tang Ping-keung said in a statement.
A hotline for the public to ask about casualties has been set up by Hong Kong police - the number is +852 1878 999.
Hong Kong's police and fire departments have established a task force to investigate the cause of the fire, chief executive John Lee has said.
The housing authority and buildings department has also launched a review focusing on whether the buildings's fire retardant protective materials met required standards.
Lee says that materials from the buildings and the scaffolding surrounding them would be tested to check compliance.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang says that the rapid spread of the fire was "unusual" and the blaze should not have engulfed the buildings so quickly if regulated materials and scaffolding had been present.
