The fire broke out in Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po district in the New Territories, and was upgraded to a No 5 alarm at 6:22 pm on Wednesday. At least thirteen people are reported to have perished in the blaze, with more residents still trapped in their homes.

The fire department authorities said in a press conference that, as of 8:15 pm, the department dispatched 760 personnel for the rescue operations. They treated 28 injured individuals, of whom 9 died at the scene, 6 were seriously injured, and 4 later died in the hospital. During the fire, one firefighter suffered a left leg injury, another experienced heat exhaustion, and one firefighter died.

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Kwong Fuk Community Hall and the Tung Cheong Street Community Hall have been open to residents in need of temporary accommodation.

The CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School has also been opened to house evacuated residents.

The last time Hong Kong recorded a No 5 alarm fire was in 2008. 

China Daily's Andy Chong took the photos on Wednesday.