A massive blaze engulfed several high-rise residential blocks in a sprawling Hong Kong estate on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 13 people with local media predicting many more still trapped by the flames.

Upwards of 700 firefighters have reportedly been mobilised to battle the conflagration at at Wang Fuk Court – which houses about 4,600 residents.

Wang Fuk Court consists of eight tower blocks, which are each 31-storeys high.

AFP reports massive flames first took hold on bamboo scaffolding on several apartment blocks on the estate in Tai Po, a district in the northern part of the Chinese financial hub, before engulfing other parts of the buildings.

A reporter from the outlet heard loud cracking sounds, possibly from the burning bamboo, and saw thick plumes of smoke billo

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