Hong Kong fire: At least 13 dead as more than 700 firefighters tackle blaze – BBC News”At least 13 people have been killed and 15 have been injured in a major fire engulfing apartment blocks in the the Tai Po district of Hong Kong
More than 700 firefighters are at the scene trying to tackle the blaze at Wang Fuk Court – which houses about 4,600 residents
Dozens of fire trucks are deployed to the scene – even now, new trucks keep arriving, writes BBC Chinese’s Phoebe Kong from the scene
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 raging fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread quickly on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the exterior of the housing complex in Tai Po district, in the New Territories. Records show the housing complex consisted of eight blocks with almost 2,000 apartments housing about 4,800 people
