Hong Kong fire: three reportedly arrested with dozens dead and hundreds missing in housing complex blaze – follow updates | Hong Kong

At least 36 people have died after a massive fire swept through several residential high-rise buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po. The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers, housing approximately 2,000 flats. About 4,800 people live there.

Another 279 people are missing, john leethe city leader said earlier today. Dozens of others were hospitalized.

More than 128 fire engines and around 800 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, where they spent hours trying to control the fire. The dead included at least one firefighter.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known as it reportedly broke out just before 3pm local time, and quickly spread to the buildings, which were covered with bamboo scaffolding.