The fire broke out on the external scaffolding of one of the buildings mid-afternoon on Wednesday and later spread inside it and to nearby buildings, probably assisted by windy conditions. The high temperatures at the scene made it difficult for crews to mount rescue operations.
Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings are falling down," said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Service operations.
By early Thursday the blaze had been brought under control but firefighters are continuing to extinguish it entirely. Circling back to the start of the fire, officials said it began on the external scaffolding of one of the buildings mid-afternoon on Wednesday and later spread inside it and then to nearby buildings, probably assisted by windy conditions.
Firefighters deployed more than 200 fire vehicles and about 100 ambulances, the Associated Press also reported. "The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It's difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations."
Among the 44 confirmed dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who was found with burns on his face half an hour after losing contact with colleagues, said fire service director Andy Yeung.
More than 900 people had sought refuge at temporary shelters. The Hong Kong leader John Lee said earlier that 279 people were unaccounted for, but firefighters later established contact with some of them.
Debris and scaffolding of the affected buildings are falling down," said Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Service operations.
By early Thursday the blaze had been brought under control but firefighters are continuing to extinguish it entirely. Circling back to the start of the fire, officials said it began on the external scaffolding of one of the buildings mid-afternoon on Wednesday and later spread inside it and then to nearby buildings, probably assisted by windy conditions.
Firefighters deployed more than 200 fire vehicles and about 100 ambulances, the Associated Press also reported. "The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It's difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations."
Among the 44 confirmed dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who was found with burns on his face half an hour after losing contact with colleagues, said fire service director Andy Yeung.
More than 900 people had sought refuge at temporary shelters. The Hong Kong leader John Lee said earlier that 279 people were unaccounted for, but firefighters later established contact with some of them.
. Fire department gets a call, they respond with like, hundreds of vehicles...but it still takes forever to put out the fire? And what's with all these people getting stuck in the burning buildings? I mean, I get that fires spread fast, but shouldn't they be doing more to evacuate people ASAP? 44 confirmed dead and over 900 displaced...it's just heartbreaking 
. The scaffolding is falling down everywhere too...what a mess 
... I mean, shouldn't the gov know if they've found anyone yet? 
But on the other hand, it's way too long to be searching without finding some answers. Like, can't they just give up and move on with the investigation already? 
Wait, no, that wouldn't be fair to the families of those ppl... I don't know, it's all so frustrating 
I mean, I guess they're just trying to cover their own backsides... or something. Ugh, I don't know what to believe anymore 
... like a million questions running through my head... how did this happen? 
the fact that 279 people were unaccounted for and then some of them got in touch with firefighters is crazy 
... but also really worrisome 
... I don't know, man... it's hard to wrap my head around this disaster 
... do you think the government should be doing more to prevent something like this from happening again? 
! I was watching the live updates on the news and it looked like such a nightmare scene out there. The high temps must have made everything so hard to deal with 
. And that poor firefighter who lost his life... my heart goes out to him 
. It's just devastating when those brave men & women risk their lives to save others, and this is just another reminder of how precious life is 
. Can't believe the number of people affected though - 900+ people displaced from their homes 
. Hope everyone is getting the help they need 
.
the fire was so devastating and i keep thinking about all those ppl trapped inside 
especially that firefighter who lost his life on the job it's just so sad 
i'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that more than 900 ppl had to flee their homes and seek shelter in temporary places 
. I mean, you can't just leave people stuck on scaffolding or trapped inside burning buildings when it's windy outside! That's like asking for tragedy to happen, right? 
. i feel bad for all those ppl who lost their lives & those who got injured 
. at least they were able to bring the fire under control by thursday tho 