Multiple apartment buildings caught fire in a Hong Kong neighbourhood Wednesday, killing 13 people including a firefighter and critically injuring at least 16 others.

The blazes, which quickly spread due to bamboo scaffolding outside the buildings being renovated, devastated the city’s Tai Po neighbourhood, identified as the Wang Fuk Court residential estate, reports the South China Morning Post .

It was reported that eight women and three men died in the fires.

Photos and videos shared to social media show several buildings engulfed in the inferno as black and grey smoke billowed from windows and green mesh covering the scaffolding burned and fell to the ground.

The cause of the blaze is unknown.

“The fire has caused multiple casualties and injuries,” Hong Kong Chief Executive Jo

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