Death toll in Hong Kong building fire rises to 55.
The fire broke out around noon Wednesday in the complex, which consists of more than 1,900 apartments, and spread rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding installed on the exterior for renovation work.
Of the seven buildings engulfed by flames in the complex, which is estimated to house around 4,000 residents, three have been brought under control, while fires continue in four buildings.
A total of 279 people are still missing and 26 fire teams are continuing firefighting operations.
Police have detained three people -- two managers and a consulting engineer from the construction company conducting the renovation -- on suspicion of “manslaughter.”
Authorities say the bamboo scaffolding erected for renovations and the foam plastic materials covering the windows contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the fire.