(LONDON) — The death toll following a massive fire that ripped through several Hong Kong high-rises has climbed to 146 people, the Hong Kong police on Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference, the police said they are not ruling out the possibility that the number of dead from the fire would increase.

With an “optimistic” estimation, the police added that the time for the search and operations is three to four weeks.

The massive fire engulfed the Wang Fuk Court, a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Within hours it was upgraded to a No. 5 alarm, city officials said.

Three men associated with the construction firm in charge of the renovation at the housing complex were arrested and were under investigation in connection with

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