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7mon agoDAMARIS KIILUBusiness
At least four people are reported dead as a fire engulfs multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong.
Footage shows flames and smoke billowing from the towers, where several people are also believed to be trapped.
The fire is believed to have spread through bamboo scaffolding on the outside of the buildings, and emergency services are at the scene.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court broke out at 2:51 pm local time, according to a statement from the Hong Kong government.
According to Reuters, it is a 2,000-unit residential complex made up of eight blocks.
Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex in the Tai Po area of the New Territories, currently undergoing renovation.
The estate consists of 1,984 flats and accommodates around 4,000 residents.
The recent blaze is expected to have a profound effect on both the community and the estate itself.
At 5 pm, seven people were taken to two hospitals for treatment, it says.
Of these, "four persons were certified dead, two persons are in critical condition and one person is in stable condition".
The fire department has told Reuters the service does not yet know how many people may still be inside the complex.
The news agency also reports that, according to public broadcaster RTHK, who has cited police, several people remain trapped in the towers.
One of the confirmed deaths is a firefighter, the fire department tells the BBC.
This follows the news that at least four people have been killed in the tower block complex fire.
The government of Hong Kong says it has opened temporary shelters in response to the fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex.
These shelters are at the Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building, the update says.
It adds that a help desk has been set up at the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for assistance and public enquiries, alongside a hotline on 2658 4040.
The Tai Po District Office is closely monitoring the situation and will open more shelters if needed, the government adds.
