HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in years blazed late into the night on Wednesday as authorities confirmed at least 13 people, including a firefighter, had died and others remained trapped.

Hundreds of residents were evacuated as the blaze spread across seven high-rise apartment buildings in a housing complex in Tai Po district, in the New Territories. At least 33 others were injured.

Fire chiefs said high temperatures at the scene made it difficult for crews to mount rescue operations. It was not immediately known how the fire started.

The fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread quickly on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the exterior of the housing complex. About 700 people were evacuated to temporary shelters.

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