Flames engulfed bamboo forests in the area. Huge plumes of dark smoke rose high into the sky at the scene, and flames quickly spread to seven of the area's eight neighborhoods.
Police said they received several reports of people trapped in the building where the fire started. Due to the high temperatures, firefighters were unable to reach some apartments on the upper floors, but they continue to try.
The fire was initially assigned hazard category No. 1, but was soon upgraded to category No. 4 and then to the highest category No. 5. In Hong Kong, fires are rated on a scale of one to five, with higher numbers representing greater severity.
128 fire engines, 57 ambulances, 767 firefighters and 400 police officers were deployed to fight the raging fire.
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
