14 dead after fire engulfs residential high-rises in Hong Kong

A massive fire ripped through multiple high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and injuring scores as authorities struggled to bring the blaze under control.

Firefighters battled the orange flames into the night as thick black smoke billowed from the 32-storey towers, which were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding - whose use the government began phasing out in March for safety reasons - and green construction mesh.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known. Fire authorities said they were grappling to get to the towers' upper floors due to the intense heat, and containing the blaze was getting tougher after night fell.

The Wang Fuk Court housing complex, where the fire started, has 2,000 residential apartments comprising eight blocks. The Fire Services Department said it did not yet have a figure for the number of people who might still be inside the buildings.

Wong 71, reacts after claiming his wife is trapped inside Wang Fuk Court during a major fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday. Reuters

At least one man and one woman were unconscious to hospital with severe burns, while police earlier received reports of trapped residents, media reports said.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the construction scaffolding on multiple towers, live broadcast footage showed.

Authorities declared a four-alarm fire -- the second highest level.

Sections of a nearby highway were also closed by the firefighting operation.

"Residents nearby are advised to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and stay calm," the Fire Services Department said.

"Members of the public are also advised to avoid going to the area affected by the fire."

Four people were hospitalised after a separate fire on the scaffolding of a building in Hong Kong's central business district last month.

Agence France-Presse