Hong Kong fire: 3 arrested as deadliest fire in years leaves dozens dead, hundreds missing

Several dead after fire erupts at high-rise towers

At least 13 people are dead and several others are injured after a fire erupted at multiple high-rise towers in northern Hong Kong.

Hong Kong police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter, according to several local news reports, following a fire that has killed at least 44 people and left 279 others missing—the city’s deadliest blaze in years.
 

A raging fire Wednesday spread across seven high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex, killing dozens of people. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

The Fire Services Department said the fire broke out at mid-afternoon and after nightfall authorities upgraded it to a level 5 alarm.

The fire was still raging late into the night.

The city's leader, John Lee, confirmed at least 36 people were killed and at least 29 were hospitalized. Another 279 people were reported missing. 

Tang Ping-keung, the secretary for security of Hong Kong, said one firefighter died after sustaining injuries while battling the blaze.

"I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members," Tang said.

Firefighters continue to extinguish flames after fire engulfed high-rise residential buildings n Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Li Zhihua/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

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Photos and video from the scene showed the bamboo scaffolding of the towers engulfed in flames and thick, dark smoke pouring out of multiple floors.

Authorities said around 700 people have been evacuated to temporary housing. According to records, the housing complex has 2,000 apartments covering eight blocks and houses about 4,800 people.