A massive fire spread through high-rises in Hong Kong, leaving destruction in its wake.

On Wednesday, Nov. 26, a fire broke out in Wang Fuk Court, a 32-story high-rise housing complex that houses 2,000 residential apartments, according to Reuters. The high-rise is located in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, near the border between Hong Kong and mainland China.

There are at least 14 people, including a firefighter, dead, and others remain trapped, but an exact number is unknown at this time, according to Reuters.

Here's what to know about the fire.

When did the fire start?

The fire department received reports of the fire at 2:51 p.m. local time, and by 3:34 p.m., it was upgraded to a No. 4 alarm, the second-highest level.

What caused the fire?

The cause of the fire is unknown, the BBC reported. But the flames are believed to have spread quickly due to the bamboo scaffolding covering the exterior of the high-rise.

The building, which has been occupied since 1983, was undergoing major renovations, Reuters reported. Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world that uses bamboo scaffolding.

Where is Tai Po, Hong Kong?

Tai Po, Hong Kong, is located near the border between Hong Kong and mainland China.

It is a suburban district with a population of around 300,000, according to Reuters.

This story has been updated with new information.

Contributing: Reuters

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies, shopping trends, holidays and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Massive fire rips through Hong Kong residential apartments

Reporting by Julia Gomez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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