[kellyhound]

At least 36 people have been killed after a massive fire spread across multiple high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex, according to officials, with another 279 people still missing. Firefighters have been working to reach some residents trapped on higher floors.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the fire, a police spokesperson said. Police are expected to give more updates at a news conference soon.

Seven of the eight buildings in the complex — which is home to a large population of elderly residents — are still ablaze. The fire appears to be the most deadly blaze in Hong Kong in nearly three decades.

The exact cause that led the fire to spread so quickly will be the subject of a probe to be carried out by a Hong Kong Police task force, but firefighters have already warned of a peculiarity.

Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung said that during the rescue, his crew had spotted some polystyrene boards blocking windows of multiple apartments.

“These polystyrene boards are extremely inflammable and the fire spread very rapidly,” he said.

“Their presence was unusual so we have referred the incident to the police for further enquiries,” Yeung added.

Meanwhile, the city’s housing authorities would be looking into whether protective layers used to cover the residential buildings during their refurbishment were sufficiently fire proof, according to Hong Kong leader John Lee.

“We will hold those accountable in accordance with the laws and regulations,” he said.

Bamboo scaffolding used to encase buildings in Hong Kong that have been cited as possible cause of fires in the past may also be a factor in Wednesday’s blaze.

[HIGHTECHDUDE]

[IvorySmith]

Outside job

[Guns N' Coffee]

Location: Wang Fuk Court Structure Fire

[kellyhound]

Update: A fire that raced through several high-rise buildings in a Hong Kong apartment complex has killed at least 55 people now.

Rescuers searching for the many missing residents have pulled an elderly man alive from a smouldering building in recent hours.

[DannyZep88]

Imagine being on a high floor and knowing you're gonna burn and melt alive as you see people drinking water on the street! What a way to go!

[TargetX]

Here's one from the start of the fires, appearing to show it spreading quickly via the scaffolding on the outside

[TargetX]

One of these shows the very start of the fire and the detail of the scaffolding - bamboo based - and the other shows the fire spreading between buildings as part of the scaffolding/cladding catches fire halfway up one of the buildings

[TargetX]

Lastly, this one shows just how quickly the fire spreads - this is the start of it all - and how quickly it gets out of control

[DialRain20]

This looks really bad. I wouldn't be surprised if the fatality count goes past 200.