Kong. At least 75 people died in the blaze - the city's deadliest in more than 70 years - at Wang Fuk Court's complex, which is home to thousands. The tower blocks had been undergoing extensive renovations - and while the exact cause for the fire is unclear, police say materials on the outside of the buildings may have facilitated its spread. Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, and Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee has vowed to launch a comprehensive investigation.

The fire, which tore through seven of eight tower blocks in Tai Po district on Wednesday, is now "basically under control", Lee said. It started at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) on Wednesday, with flames and thick clouds of grey smoke seen billowing from the towers, dominating the city's skyline. By 18:22 local time, officials upgraded the fire to a level five - the most serious category. Firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among those killed in the blaze. He was found collapsed at the scene about 30 minutes after contact with him was lost.

Eleven other firefighters are also injured, the fire department said. The fierce heat of the blaze, as well as dangerous debris and the risk posed from collapsing scaffolding, has hampered rescue efforts, but the fire department has so far rescued 55 people. "Despite the complex conditions at the scene, the firefighters' rescue efforts will not stop," Lee told a news conference on Thursday evening. More than 270 people remain unaccounted for, while 76 people are injured, Hong Kong's fire service said. (BBC)